Michael Schumacher

The eminent racer got married to Corinna Betsch, in August 1995—the couple have a daughter and a son.

On December 29, 2013, the famous racer had a major accident while skiing with his son Mick, in the Combe de Saulire region of the French Alps. He was wearing a helmet, but still had a massive fall, resulting in a serious head injury. He had to be put in a coma by the doctors, to relieve him of the pain.

The following year, he recovered from coma, having reached a comparatively stable condition. He was discharged from the 'Grenoble Hospital', and was admitted at the 'University Hospital' in Switzerland. Currently, he is at home, recovering from memory loss and paralysis.

Michael Schumacher was born to a construction worker Rolf, and Elisabeth, on January 3, 1969 in the town of Hürth, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. As a child, he showed a growing interest in racing, and his parents encouraged him by building him his own kart. Both parents worked harder so they could support their son in fulfilling his dreams.

In 1982, the young driver won the 'German Junior Kart Championship' and was given his driving license at the age of fourteen, the following year. From then on, he went to win several kart championships, supporting himself by working as a mechanic.

The enthusiastic racer participated in entry-level championships 'Formula König' and 'Formula Ford' in 1988, earning an emphatic win in the first.

His brother Ralph and stepbrother Sebastian are also ‘Formula One’ racers.

In 1990, Michael competed in the 'Formula 3' championship of Germany for the 'WTS' team, earning a victory in the races. The same year, he competed in the 'World Sports-Prototype Championship', as a part of the 'Mercedes junior racing programme', along with racers Karl Wendlinger and Heinz-Harald Frentzen.

Schumacher drove the 'Sauber–Mercedes C11' car, and placed first in the final race at 'Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez'. Out of nine races, he participated in only three, but came fifth in the whole competition.

The following year, in 1991, he took part in the next season of ‘World Sportscar Championship’, and emerged victorious once again, driving a 'Sauber–Mercedes-Benz C291'. The same year, he also participated in the 'Japanese Formula 3000 Championship', and was placed second.

In 1991, the young driver competed in the Formula One race for the 'Jordan Grand Prix' team, finishing in seventh place. The same year, he placed fifth in the 'Italian Grand Prix', defeating racer Nelson Piquet.

The following year, in 1992, he participated in the 'Mexican Grand Prix', and the 'Belgian Grand Prix', finishing third in the first, but clinching a well-deserved victory in the latter. He also competed in the Formula One for the 'Benetton Ford' team, scoring a total of 53 points.

In April 2002, he was given the title of 'UNESCO Champion', since he strongly advocates child education. He shares this honour with footballer Pelé, gymnast Sergey Bubka, and tennis player Justine Henin.

From 2002-04, Michael has been named the 'Laureus World Sportsman of the Year' on two occasions. He has been nominated for the award six times, sharing the honour with tennis player Roger Federer.

In 2006, he was felicitated with the 'FIA Gold Medal for Motor Sport' to commemorate his success. The following year, he won the 'Prince of Asturias Award for Sport', for his racing career as well as his philanthropic contributions.

The French government honoured this brilliant racer with the title of 'Officier of Légion d'honneur', the highest of its kind in France.

In 2014, the 'Millenium Trophy' was conferred upon the celebrated racer at the 'Bambi Awards'.