Retired German racing driver Michael Schumacher is today celebrating his 50th birthday, but fans for years have been concerned about his health following a serious skiing accident in 2013.
The Formula One driver has not been seen in public since the accident, but was placed in a medically induced coma for six months after suffering a serious brain injury. Since then, information about the athlete’s health has not been known and his family rarely issue updates or statements about his condition.
On Wednesday evening, Michael’s family took to his official Facebook page with a special message for fans.
“We are very happy to celebrate Michael’s 50th birthday tomorrow together with you and thank you from the bottom of our hearts that we can do this together,” the message read. “You can be sure that he is in the very best of hands and that we are doing everything humanly possible to help him.”
It also explained why so little information about Michael’s condition has been made available.
“Please understand if we are following Michael’s wishes and keeping such a sensitive subject as health, as it has always been, in privacy,” the statement continued. “At the same time we say thank you very much for your friendship and wish you a healthy and happy year 2019.”
In addition to the update, the Keep Fighting Foundation – a global non-profit initiative inspired by Michael, announced a virtual museum would debut on his 50th birthday.
“The Official Michael Schumacher App will be released tomorrow, so that we can review all together Michael’s successes,” his family said. “The app is another milestone in our effort to do justice to him and you, his fans, by celebrating his accomplishments. We wish you a lot of fun with it.
“Michael can be proud of what he has achieved, and so are we! That’s why we remember his successes with the Michael Schumacher Private Collection exhibition in Cologne, by publishing memories in social media and by continuing his charitable work through the Keep Fighting Foundation. We want to remember and celebrate his victories, his records and his jubilation.”
The statement included a photograph of the racing legend with beloved wife, Corinna Betsch.
Fans were quick to send their well-wishes to the star.
One person on Facebook said: “My best wishes to Michael, my supreme example! The love and admiration I feel towards you will never fade!!! I hope the nightmare of the last five years may one day end. Keep Fighting Michael Schumacher.”
Another comment read: “Congratulations and all the best to birthday. We wish you and your family a lot of strength.”
A third simply added: “Always wishing the best for Michael.”