Michael Schumacher has become a grandfather after his daughter, Gina, welcomed a baby girl into the world.
Gina Schumacher announced that she was pregnant in December and has now announced the birth of baby Millie alongside her husband Iain Bethke’s.
The news comes after she and Bethke got married in September at the Schumacher family’s luxury villa in Majorca, which they bought for £27million in 2017.
German outlet BILD reported at the time that it was ‘very likely’ that seven-time world champion Schumacher was present, almost 11 years on from his near-fatal freak skiing crash, though this has been disputed.
Announcing Millie’s birth on social media, Gina and Iain wrote on Instagram: ‘Welcome to the world, Millie Born on March 29th, our hearts are fuller than ever. We are beyond blessed to have you in our lives.’
They shared a black and white photograph of them holding a minute hand – presumably Millie’s.
Michael Schumacher has become a grandfather to hs daughter Gina’s (middle) baby, Millie
Gina and her husband Iain Bethke got married last year and have now welcomed baby Millie
‘Our hearts are fuller than ever. We are beyond blessed to have you in our lives,’ they wrote
Gina, 28, is a successful equestrian, and has been with Iain, who is also a horse enthusiast, since 2017.
Guests at their wedding are said to have included Michael’s brother Ralf and his partner Etienne Bosquet-Cassagne, who have been embroiled in a row with the former’s ex-wife Cora over her claims she felt ‘stabbed in the heart’ after finding out he was gay last year.
The villa has a landing pad and he is regularly flown from to the villa in Port d’Andratx from the family home by Lake Geneva in Switzerland.
It is part of a 15,000 square metre estate which boasts two swimming pools, a helipad, a gym and a huge palm-tree-fringed garden.
The ceremony lasted around half an hour according to respected Majorcan daily Ultima Hora and they said ‘I do’ by 4pm.
There was reportedly a banquet with a live performance from a country music band, although no figure is given for the number of guests.
It was reported at the start of the year Gina and her boyfriend would get married during the summer at Villa Yasmin, which the Schumachers bought from Real Madrid president Florentino Perez.
It remains unclear whether father Schumacher did, for sure, attend the ceremony.
Their marriage took place at the Schumacher family’s luxury villa in Majorca, which they bought in 2017
Schumacher (pictured in 2005) hasn’t been seen in public since a skiing accident in 2013 left him in a medically induced coma, and he is cared for by a team of medical staff and his family
He saw his life change forever after a tragic accident 11 years ago.
Having spent his career expertly piloting the world’s fastest – and dangerous machines for more than 15 years – before retiring in good health in 2012 aged 43, Schumacher almost lost his life in a freak fall just one year later.
On a family skiing holiday in Meribel, he suffered an accident and fractured his skull, leading to a traumatic brain injury.
Having been placed into a medically induced coma, he underwent two brain surgeries, surviving both against all odds, but remained in critical condition.
In April 2014, doctors began the painstaking process of gradually withdrawing him from the coma, and by June he was deemed safe to move.
Contrary to reports of his appearance, Johnny Herbert, a close friend of Schumacher, said that it was ‘fake news’ that the F1 legend had attended the wedding.
In March, a leading F1 reporter provided an update on Schumacher’s health.
Felix Gorner, a reporter for German broadcaster RTL, has lifted the lid to fans on Schumacher’s status and revealed he ‘can no longer communicate verbally’.
A leading F1 reporter has recently provided a major update on the health of Schumacher
Felix Gorner revealed the seven-time world champion ‘can no longer communicate verbally’
Gorner, a reporter for German broadcaster RTL, is said to be close to Schumacher’s family
‘The situation is very sad,’ said Gorner, who is viewed as one of the journalists closest to Schumacher’s family and a reliable source on his health.
‘He needs constant care and is completely dependent on his caregivers. And he can no longer express himself verbally.’
Gorner also commented on the general situation around Schumacher and the private nature of his life since the tragic accident in 2013.
‘Currently, there’s a maximum of 20 people who can approach Michael,’ he added.
‘And, in my opinion, it’s the right strategy. Because the family is acting in Michael’s best interests. They’ve always strictly protected his privacy, and that hasn’t changed.’
Schumacher, who is now 56, is one of the most successful F1 drivers of all time, having claimed the world title in 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004.
He also added 71 fastest laps and 155 podiums to his name during his iconic racing career.
