​Michael Schumacher, the seven-time Formula 1 world champion who was seriously injured in a skiing accident on December 29, 2013, turns 54 on Tuesday.

>> Michael Schumacher, top 10 incredible moments

The career of a fantastic driver – 7 world championship titles in Formula-1

Michael Schumacher was born on January 3, 1969 in the town of Hurt, located in the west of Germany, in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

He made his F1 debut at the age of 22 driving a Jordan single-seater in August 1991 at the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, and took his first victory a year later at the same circuit.

Schumacher has seven world championship titles to his credit: 1994, 1995 (both with Beneton), 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 (all five with Ferrari).

He first retired from Formula 1 at the end of 2006 before returning to the Grand Prix in 2010.

But for three seasons spent at Mercedes, the German did not show the form that proved him. In this second phase of his career, Michael Schumacher managed only one third place in Valencia in 2012 and four fourth places.

As a driver, Schumacher was involved in only one serious accident. On July 11, 1999, the German champion suffered a double fracture of the tibia and fibula in his right leg after the single-seater Ferrari he was driving left the track and crashed into a tire barrier.

He was then absent from Formula One for 98 days, six races, returning for the final two Grands Prix of the season.

Michael has been married to Corinna since 1995 and they have two children: Gina Maria (24 years old) and Mick (22 years old).

The Schumacher family settled in 2007 in Gland, Switzerland, a resort on the shores of Lake Leman, not far from Geneva. In 2010, Schumacher’s fortune was estimated at more than 600 million euros.

The skiing accident that changed Michael Schumacher’s life

On December 29, 2013, former Formula 1 driver Michael Schumacher was the victim of a skiing accident in the French resort of Meribel.

He was transferred to a hospital in Grenoble after suffering a severe head injury and bleeding on the brain.

Until June 16, 2014, Schumacher was in a coma. On June 18, 2014, he was transferred to a specialized medical unit in Lausanne, and on September 9, 2014, he was discharged and moved to his home in the Swiss city of Gland, News.ro reports.

Subsequently, it was possible to learn a few details about Michael’s health, the family keeps the situation of the multiple world champion away from the eyes of the media.

On 15 December 2022, the Mercedes team announced that Michael’s son, Mick, would become a reserve driver after two years racing for Haas.