Michael Schumacher's daughter Gina-Maria: Sports career and heartbreaking message to dad

Formula 1 legend daughter has kept a low profile but has also carved out a notable sports career herself. At 28, Gina-Maria is Michael's firstborn with wife Corinna Betsch; they also have a son, Mick, 26, who followed in his father's footsteps.

Residing in Switzerland, Gina-Maria has made a name for herself in the world of equestrian sports. During a conversation with German broadcaster NDR, she revealed that she once toyed with going into too by dabbling in karting. But while her brother Mick pursued the racing circuit, driving for Haas in 2021 and 2022 and now competing in the FIA World Endurance Championship for Alpine, she disclosed a distinct preference for equine pursuits, stating she "preferred horses".

The Schumacher family have been forced to overcome with Michael not being seen in public since he suffered an accident while skiing in the French Alps resort of Meribel in December 2013.

He suffered a traumatic brain injury after falling and hitting a rock, and was placed in a medically-induced coma. Little information has been released on Michael's condition since he was moved to his home in Switzerland when he came out of his coma six months following the incident.

While Gina-Maria often posts snaps of her riding skills on Instagram, she keeps the details of her father's condition as a closely guarded secret. However, on January 3, 2022, she posted a picture of her dad writing: "Happy B-Day to the best Dad." This was followed with the heartbreaking two-worded hashtag of: "#keepfighting."

Gina-Maria has found remarkable success in western riding. She secured a gold medal at the FEI World Reining Championships in Switzerland back in August 2017. Further triumph followed in February 2018 when she claimed another gold at the National Reining Horse Association's novice event Cavalli.

And she reigned supreme in the World Championships for junior riders in 2018 as well. After tying the knot with her long-term partner Iain Bethke last year, Gina-Maria had additional cause for celebration recently.

She announced on social media that they have welcomed their first child together. Sharing the news on Instagram, she said: "Welcome to the world, Millie.

"Born on March 29, our hearts are fuller than ever. We are beyond blessed to have you in our lives."

Reports state that Gina-Maria exchanged vows with Bethke at her family's villa in Majorca towards the end of last year. Among those reported to have attended the ceremony were Michael's brother Ralf and his partner Etienne Bosquet-Cassagne.

Prior to the big day, guests reportedly gathered at the chic Mhares Sea Club, positioned south of the island's capital Palma. It remains unconfirmed whether Michael, 55, was in attendance. In efforts to preserve exclusivity, BILD reports that attendees were even asked to hand over their phones to maintain the veil of privacy.

Horse riding has apparently been a source of solace for Gina-Maria as she copes with her father's situation, and it is believed she and her mother have set up a ranch in Gordonville, Texas. According to German publication Bunte, the sprawling property extends over 162 hectares and boasts 40 expansive stables.

Gina-Maria has also collaborated with the Bremen-based fashion brand Herzen's Angelegenheit to create a fashion line motivated by her love for horseback riding.

In the 2021 documentary, Schumacher, Corinna spoke about her husband's recovery in a rare interview. "Michael is here," she said. "Different, but he's here, and that gives us strength, I find. We're together."