The Price of Love: How Michael Schumacher's Wife Sold Homes and a Jet to Save Her Husband

In 2013, the legendary racing driver Michael Schumacher sustained a serious injury. From that tragic day onward, his wife Corinna has gone to extraordinary lengths to restore his functionality and help him recover.

On January 3rd, Michael Schumacher turned 56 years old. His achievements in Formula 1 racing remain unmatched to this day. He holds records for the most championship titles, Grand Prix wins, hat-tricks, and fastest laps. Throughout his career, Michael surpassed all competitors in pole positions, front-row starts, and podium finishes per season.

To date, his family has invested approximately $25 million in medical treatments and rehabilitation. According to doctors' forecasts, maintaining Michael's quality of life will require similar or even greater expenses in the coming years.

In April 2021, Corinna listed their 215,000-square-foot mansion in Gland, Switzerland, valued at $65 million, for sale. The property was sold to finance ongoing medical care. Previously, the family sold Schumacher’s iconic race car and private jet. For nine years, Corinna has regularly consulted with accountants to decide which assets must be auctioned next—driven by the quiet hope that the Formula 1 legend will one day recover. Unfortunately, doctors offer no guarantees.

In the 2021 Netflix documentary about Michael’s condition, Corinna spoke cautiously: there have been no significant changes. Overwhelmed with emotion, she broke down in tears.

“I miss Michael every day. Not just me — the children, his father, and everyone close to him do too. I wonder why this happened to us. But still, he’s with us, and that gives us strength,” she explained.

Corinna’s unwavering dedication and tender words about her husband inspire even the most skeptical to believe in a miracle. Having overcome so much together, perhaps they can triumph over this challenge as well.

Reluctant to Steal a Friend’s Love

When Michael first met the charming, smiling blonde Corinna, she was dating his Mercedes Junior teammate Heinz-Harald Frentzen. Who steals a friend’s girlfriend? But at a party where they were introduced, Michael and Corinna couldn’t stop talking—joking about cocktails and discussing the upcoming season.

Corinna’s father was involved in motorsport, so she knew the ins and outs of racing. Michael boasted about winning several karting trophies, a World Endurance Championship race in Mexico, and Formula 3. His dream was, of course, Formula 1. Corinna smiled; her boyfriend shared the same dream. But would it come true?

Just a year later, the 22-year-old ambitious German debuted at the Belgian Grand Prix in the famous Jordan 191, marked by a broken clutch—that was the start of his career. The first person he told about his challenging first win was Corinna. She confided in him about her issues with Frentzen, sparking their friendship. From her side, it was friendship; Michael had fallen deeply in love. He confided to his father that he didn’t want to break anyone’s happiness but couldn’t imagine life without Corinna. Their relationship might have continued as just friends if Corinna hadn’t decided to end things with Frentzen. She wanted a family and children, but Michael said he wasn’t ready for that.

“Mismatch is an eternal drama between him and her!”

But was it really a drama? Corinna told Michael about the breakup, and soon they started dating. What annoyed Frentzen about Corinna—her passion for horseback riding, cooking, love for animals, and desire to become a veterinarian—fascinated Michael. He told friends no one had cared for him like she did. In 1995, he proposed to Corinna. They welcomed daughter Gina-Maria in 1997 and son Mick two years later. Their devotion was extraordinary—Corinna attended every race during pregnancy and after childbirth.

“His passion for work is immense. Yes, it takes a lot of time and energy, but his life without racing is unimaginable. I met him when he was already a driver, so I accepted him as he is. I chose this and have no right to change him,” Corinna told journalists.

From Playboy to Family Man

In 1996, Michael moved the family from Monte Carlo to Switzerland, purchasing a large home on the shores of Lake Geneva in Vufflens-le-Château. He reasoned that fresh air and natural food were essential for his growing children, and it would be a peaceful retreat between races. Financially, Switzerland’s low income tax rate (no more than 11.5%) also helped save on taxes. Little did anyone know this home would become Michael’s rehabilitation center.

“If we stayed in Monte Carlo, it would be hard for my children to live a normal life,” Michael told reporters. “Gina-Maria and Mick should grow up without pressure because they are Michael Schumacher’s kids. We live a normal life like any other family. The kids know about my work—they watch TV and understand. At two years old, they already knew the red car was dad’s.”

Once a playboy and face of many ad campaigns who loved social parties and media attention, Michael became a devoted family man after his children were born. He reduced sponsorship events to spend more time with his family. “Other fathers work all day and come home when their kids are asleep,” he said in the book "Schumacher: Number One" by James Allen. “They see their families less than I do. I take my work seriously but told my manager I won’t sacrifice my family.”

Corinna admitted that while Michael was steel-like on the track, at home he was tender and loving. His daughter literally wrapped him around her little finger, and he was delighted.

“I won’t praise Mick and Gina for something only to punish them for the same thing the next day. If they get hurt even after my warnings, I don’t yell—I hug and comfort them, then explain. From them, I’ve learned thousands of amazing things: freedom, curiosity, courage,” Michael shared in an interview with Stern.

“All My Love Is for Her!”

Looking ahead, Michael’s son Mick also became a Formula 1 driver. It is believed Michael is aware of this and is very proud of him.

Mick insisted on selling the family’s Norwegian winter home, where they vacationed annually. The family was ready to give up everything to help Michael recover. Happiness isn’t measured by houses or money—it’s about a loving family. The Schumachers long to return to the happy Swiss years between 2003 and 2006, when Michael played amateur football with Mick for the club Étoile Carouge, maintained the local park, and skied in Norway during winters.

“There’s a strong bond between us; we feel each other automatically. We need this, and so do our children,” Corinna told The Telegraph. “We sit very close at the table, sometimes laughing because we’re so close we get in each other’s way eating. It’s not because we don’t have a big table.”

The legendary driver himself acknowledged his luck, especially because of his strong family.

“Corinna isn’t just the woman of my dreams in appearance,” Michael said. “She perfectly adapts to my lifestyle and moods. I often think about what love means to me and realize: I’m endlessly happy. All my love is for her.”

In Switzerland, Michael arranged a farm for Corinna, where she could indulge her love for animals by caring for horses, birds, and dogs. For example, the Schumachers rescued their dog Flo from the streets of Brazil, and he traveled with them even to races.

“Sometimes he really gets on our nerves,” Michael laughed. “Corinna and I love to sleep in, but we never get to because Flo sleeps in our bedroom and starts barking between 7 and 8 a.m. We wake up, and while I walk the dog, Corinna makes breakfast.”

The Only Argument They Had

In Switzerland, Corinna continued horseback riding and even won the European Championship in 2010. To celebrate, Michael bought her a ranch in Texas with 36 horses.

Only Corinna had the authority to stop Michael from racing after accidents, and doctors trusted her to oversee his recovery treatments.

“When I imagined my future, I knew I would be a champion, but fate gave me even more gifts. It gave me Corinna—she earned all my victories,” Michael confessed to The Guardian. “She was my desire, my dream. I don’t like being alone. I like sharing my life and time with someone I love. It worked 100% with my wife.”

Shortly before the tragic fall in the French Alps, Michael and Corinna had their first serious argument. Michael didn’t want Mick to pursue racing, but Corinna said it was cruel to pressure their son. The quarrel escalated until they remembered their promise never to raise their voices at each other. They agreed to let Mick choose his own path.

Then came the Alps accident. Michael spent six months in a coma and underwent eight surgeries. Corinna stayed by his bedside in the hospital and prepared their home for his return. Currently, medical care costs about $100,000 per month, with a team of 15 doctors attending to him.

Corinna sold the Norwegian home and the nine-seat Falcon jet for $31 million. They also auctioned off Schumacher’s Ferrari car, the very vehicle that earned him his first championship with Scuderia Ferrari.

In August 2018, The Mirror quoted family friend and former Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo: “When we wheel Michael into a wheelchair and show him beautiful views, he sometimes cries.”

“That means he’s conscious and perceives the world,” fans around the globe rejoiced. However, doctors cautioned that full recovery remains unlikely.

Singer Sasha Hershenbach dedicated the song "Born To Fight" to Schumacher, for which Corinna sent him a heartfelt letter of thanks.

“She never openly discussed Michael’s health, but there was an important line,” the singer told Postimees. “Hope remains: ‘Schumacher keeps recovering; he doesn’t think about giving up.’”

Photo credit: Getty Images

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