A regional court in Munich has banned the publication or broadcast of any unofficial report about the health condition of racing legend and seven-time Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher following a lawsuit filed by his wife Corinna against three gossip publications over false updates about her husband's health and present condition.
According to The Telegraph, Corinna has successfully sued gossip tabloids Bunte, Freizeit Revue and Freizeit Spaß for reporting that her husband has regained the ability of speech and is currently undergoing a special therapy, a year after coming out of a coma following his horrific crash in a ski accident in the French Alps 18 months ago.
In its report, Bunte claimed that Schumacher has opened his eyes and feels Corinna's love again, while Freizeit Revue reported a "wonderful news" that Michael has regained speech ability but in a fragmented way. Corinna also took exemption over the misleading report by the Freizeit Spaß magazine that the former F1 driver is undergoing a special treatment when it merely quoted a doctor who discussed the possibility of patients recovering from a coma.
The court ruled that the magazines coverage had "removed his privacy and was the subject of speculative hope and voyeuristic observation." It noted that Bunte's report also showed "a clear predominance of vast voyeurism".
The court's rulings are still subject to a final legal judgment.
Meanwhile, since their father's crash while skiing with his 14-year-old son during a vacation in the French Alps, Gina Marie and Mike are excelling in their respective sporting activities, horse racing and car racing. Michael Schumacher hit his head on a rock in an off-piste area between two marked runs in Maribel. The German F1 driver sustained severe head injuries resulting from the crash.
Schumacher, who won 91 races in his storied F1 career, is listed as the wealthiest driver ever to have raced in Formula One, amassing a fortune estimated to be over $791.3 million.
But his family is also believed to be spending $152,000-a-week for his care, with the total amount spent for his rehabilitation has spiraled to more than $15.2 million.
Corinna has reportedly taken over her husband's $500 million business empire, and sold the family's vacation home and jet ski for $38 million because Michael will "never fully recover to enjoy them again,"
News concerning Schumacher's actual health situation continues to be closely guarded by his manager Sabine Kehm. His wife Corinna has mostly stayed away from the media, but still maintains the occasional public appearance.
Privacy has also been maintained by a heavy security presence around Schumacher's spacious property. At this stage, he is recovering at a custom-built clinic that was built on the grounds of his home overlooking Lake Geneva. Schumacher has been receiving around-the-clock care from a medical staff whose members have been required to sign confidentiality agreements.
