MICHAEL Schumacher’s family battled to bury “secret” photos of the Formula One legend that were leaked by a so-called “friend” three years after his tragic accident.
Someone smuggled the snaps out of the former racer’s Lake Geneva home in 2016 and put them on sale for an eyewatering £1million.
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Michael Schumacher is a former Ferarri and Mercedes F1 racing driverCredit: AP:Associated Press
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He tragically suffered “traumatic brain injury” from a skiing accident in 2013Credit: AFP-Getty
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A Netflix documentary called Schumacher showed family footage of the driver and reflected on the highlights of his careerCredit: Netflix
No photos or videos of Schumacher have ever been seen since his shocking skiing accident in 2013 – although there was a rare health update last week.
The racing hero suffered from “traumatic brain injury” in an off-piste crash and was put in a medically induced coma which he awoke from a year later.
Since then, the former Ferrari and Mercedes driver has been recovering at his Switzerland home alongside his family, but away from the prying eyes of fans and press.
So the anonymous photographer seized the opportunity to sell a first-glimpse of the injured 53-year-old.
The unknown person, believed to be a close-friend of Schumacher’s, reportedly snapped a picture of the F1 star lying in his bed.
The traitor then allegedly smuggled the photos out of the Schumacher’s mansion and attempted to auction them off to outlets across the continent.
German prosecutors in Offenburg later confirmed that “an unknown person” had taken “secret” snaps and were offering them for “high amounts of money” – close to £1million.
They called the disgusting act a “violation of his personal range of life” and breach of privacy.
An investigation was launched at the time but has been reportedly been put on hold – despite Schumacher’s distressed wife Corinna demanding cops take action against the selfish “friend”.
The European media house which was offered the exclusive first glimpse of the raving icon refused to reveal its source.
The unnamed news outlet also claimed it never saw any of the images of the legendary driver.
To the rest of the world, Michael Schumacher’s health has remained a mystery for the last nine years.
Until last week when former Ferrari boss Jean Todt revealed a rare insight into the racing legend’s low-profile life.
‘HE’S SO STRONG’
The FIA President, who remained in Schumacher’s tight circle after the traumatic ordeal, recently told a German TV channel that he regularly visits the star’s home.
The Frenchman, 74, let fans know that Schumacher still loves to watch Formula One races almost a decade after his retirement from the extreme sport.
He told RTL: “I don’t miss Michael, I see him. Yes, it’s true, I watch races with Michael.
“But sure, I guess what I miss is what we used to do together.”
Schumacher’s son Mick followed in his father’s legendary footsteps to become a track star, keeping his racing legacy alive.
Todt also noted there was “a lot of unfair pressure” placed on Schumacher Jr’s shoulders to his father’s success.
The ex-Ferrari chief previously told how he “hopes the world” will be able to see his dear friend again, revealing Schumacher has “never changed”.
He continued: “I don’t leave him alone. Him, Corinna, the family, we’ve had so many experiences together.
“The beauty of what we have experienced is part of us and it goes on.
“Sometimes success and money changes you. But Michael has never changed. He’s so strong.”
Unlike Todt, another of Schumacher’s former friends feels he has been shut out from the icon’s home.
His former manager Willi Weber accused the star’s family of lying about his condition.
The 80-year-old said he is still “angry” that the brood hasn’t updated him on the F1 icon’s health since his skiing accident nine years ago.
‘ALL THE BAD LUCK’
The Schumacher family had to fight for privacy against the secret photos and so-called friends.
For nearly a decade now, it is Michael’s wife Corinna who has been the most steadfast support for her husband, supporting his recovery in private.
On Wednesday, she was reduced to tears as she collected an award on behalf of her husband in Cologne.
The Ferrari icon was awarded the State Prize of North Rhine-Westphalia.
Corinna cried as the audience applauded with a standing ovation in tribute to the absent Schumacher.
Close friend Todt who supported Corinna on stage, along with her daughter Gina, called it an “emotional ceremony”.
Last year the Schumachers broke their silence on the family’s suffering in an emotional interview for the new Netflix documentary called Schumacher.
“I have never blamed God for what happened,” the 52-year-old Corinna said.
“It was just really bad luck – all the bad luck anyone can have in life.
“It’s always terrible when you say, ‘Why is this happening to Michael or us?’ But then why does it happen to other people?”
The loyal wife continued through tears: “Of course, I miss Michael every day. But it’s not just me who misses him.
“It’s the children, the family, his father, everyone around him.
“I mean, everybody misses Michael, but Michael is here. Different, but he’s here and that gives us strength, I find.”
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Michael’s wife Corinna has been caring for him at their Lake Geneva homeCredit: Rex Features
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Schumacher is the most decorated F1 driver in racing historyCredit: PA:Press Association
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He won the 2005 Formula One United States Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway along with many othersCredit: Getty
