Michael Schumacher will become a grandfather (Image: PA)
is set to embrace a new joy in his life as he prepares to become a grandfather. The motorsport icon’s daughter, Gina-Marie, delighted fans with a heartwarming announcement on social media, revealing that she and her husband Iain Bethke are expecting their first child.
Their momentous news comes on the heels of their stunning wedding earlier this year, celebrated at the Schumacher’s own luxurious Majorcan villa. .
On her page, Gina-Marie, an accomplished equestrian champion, shared an enchanting photograph, showing balloons emblazoned with ‘new baby’ alongside a young foal in a picturesque field. Her caption expressed eager anticipation: “Impatiently awaiting the arrival of our little girl.”
The forthcoming arrival marks another high point for the Schumacher family this year, following the June wedding where Gina-Marie and Bethke exchanged vows. The ceremony was remarkably inclusive, with many family friends, typically kept at a distance from the private sphere of the Schumachers, in attendance.
Since Michael Schumacher’s devastating skiing accident in December 2013, which resulted in severe injuries, his wife Corinna has steadfastly maintained a tight shield around her husband’s privacy. This circle is strictly limited to those within their closest confidants, ensuring utmost discretion regarding Schumacher’s health updates.
Despite the family’s diligent efforts to preserve such privacy, there have been sordid attempts trying to illicitly disclose sensitive details. Recently, this narrative took a dramatic turn as a court case began in Germany, focusing on three individuals accused of attempting to extort the Schumacher family.
Markus Fritsche, 53, a former bodyguard to the seven-time F1 champion Schumacher, is said to have had access to intimate details of his condition and treatment. After being dismissed, he allegedly attempted to exploit this knowledge against the family.
The alleged scheme involved 1,500 images, 200 videos and extensive personal medical notes about Schumacher, all contained on four USB sticks and two hard drives that Fritsche took from the Schumacher residence upon his departure. He is accused of enlisting nightclub bouncer Yilmaz Tozturkan, 53, and his IT expert son Daniel Lins, 30.
Michael Schumacher’s health has been kept private by his family. (Image: Getty)
The trio reportedly contacted the family, threatening to release the material on the dark web unless they received a £12million ransom. It’s claimed that Tozturkan used a withheld number to call the family about the material on June 3.
Lins then allegedly sent four images to the Schumacher residence just eight days later, giving the family ‘a month’ to pay the fee, which was to be delivered in two instalments at the office of the Schumacher family lawyer.
The scheme unravelled just a week later when Tozturkan and his son were nabbed by German police in a Netto car park on June 19, following close surveillance. Tozturkan is facing charges of extortion, while Lins stands accused of aiding and abetting the crime.
Fritsche was apprehended two weeks later at his flat. The trial kicked off on Tuesday, December 10, in Wuppertal, located near Dusseldorf in western Germany.
According to German outlet Bild, Fritsche could be looking at “a severe prison sentence” if found guilty, and the public prosecutor has stated that Tozturkan could face up to 15 years in the slammer if convicted. They have labelled Tozturkan’s alleged scheme as “attempted extortion in a particularly serious case”.
Regarding Fritsche’s involvement, they have charged him with “violating the most personal sphere of life” of Schumacher and his family.