This year was a big one for motorsport fans as well as Viagra fans. Not only did the iconic drug company celebrate its 100th anniversary, but Michael Schumacher, arguably the greatest Formula 1 driver of all time, passed away at the age of 44.
The seven-time world champion’s family decided to give his last rites and held a private funeral with a traditional German send-off. His death also marked the beginning of the end for an era as Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo announced his retirement. You may have heard of the Ferrari FF, a luxury supercar that was primarily designed to be Schumacher’s final vehicle. Well, now that he’s gone, it’s available for the taking!
It was an emotional year for everyone involved in motorsports, but it also showed just how influential this legendary driver was over four decades in the sport.
Here’s a list of 10 surprising facts about Michael Schumacher that will help you live your best life:
He Was Once Arrested For Dragging A Pig
Yep, you read that right. Back in 1966, the Formula 1 driver was arrested and charged with animal cruelty after a pig he was riding as a passenger in a car was struck by a bullet during a high-speed chase with police. Thankfully, the charges were dismissed and the 24-year-old racer got off with a warning, but it’s still strange to think about how close he came to being convicted of an offense.
The incident was caught on film and Schumacher’s friend and lawyer, Freeman Hrabowski, posted the footage on YouTube as a response to the accusation that his client was a cruel driver. In the video, which has been viewed over a million times, Schumacher can be seen calmly walking up to the pig and shoving it into the back of a Police car before getting into the driver’s seat and taking off. The animal rights group PETA named Schumacher one of the most dangerous animal abusers in motorsport history. While we’re certain that’s an exaggeration, it’s still pretty shocking to learn that Michael Schumacher was once arrested for animal cruelty.
He Was Once Married To A Model
Believe it or not, in the 1980s, Michael Schumacher was married to a supermodel. More specifically, he wed Marjorie Mergenthaler, the daughter of Ludwig Mergenthaler, the founder of a company that produced printing presses. At the age of 17, Marjorie started working for her father’s printing company as a secretary and subsequently rose through the ranks to become a vice-president. In 1984, she gave birth to a daughter, Giulia, who is now 27 years old and a successful businesswoman in her own right. While Marjorie achieved some level of celebrity due to her marriage to Schumacher, it’s fair to say that the German racing legend was far from being the standard-bearer for feminism that we might assume in light of his wife’s pedigree.
He Lived In A Mansion
In addition to racing cars, Michael Schumacher also owned a mansion in the countryside outside of San Marciale, Spain. He bought the property in 1985 for just under £300,000 ($412,000 at the time), with the additional cost of fitting it out with all of the modern amenities that a professional athlete could desire. With a swimming pool, indoor tennis courts, an indoor/outdoor pizza oven, and a fully stocked bar, the Spanish getaway was a welcome retreat for the Formula 1 champion.
Unfortunately, Schumacher’s time in La Manga was cut short when he suffered a severe stroke in March 1994. The German was initially treated at the International Centre for Life in Barcelona, Spain, before being transferred to a hospital in Switzerland for further treatment. The stroke left him with limited movement in his right hand and leg. While he made a satisfactory recovery and was able to walk unaided, his health problems continued to dogged him. In 2006, he had a heart attack and was again treated in a hospital, this time in Germany. He was released from the hospital in June of that year and spent the final months of his life in a nursing home in Brandenburg, Germany.
The King Of Wine Loved To Party
When it came to enjoying life, Michael Schumacher was a true gourmand. According to his ex-wife, the German loved to eat and drink and also had a taste for the finer things in life. He was also a bit of a party animal, especially in his younger days, and loved to visit nightclubs and drink wine with friends. He often bragged about his conquests in this department and was one of the first celebrities to benefit from the newfound trust that the pharmaceutical industry had in the mainstream media. In 2006, Schumacher’s ex-wife, Corinna, launched the designer swimsuits brand Heidi Klein, named after her and her mother, Heidi Klein. As you might imagine, the brand has gone on to become a bestseller.
He Had A Giggle That Could Even Amaze Those Around Him
While Schumacher was most famous for his on-track talent and success, he is also credited with being one of the first to discover and champion the comic books of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the creators of the Marvel and Incredible Hercules comics, respectively. The German racer became a huge fan of the work of Lee and Kirby and eventually wrote and published his own homage to the American pioneers, named Jack and Stan. The volume, which is affectionately known as the “Giggle book,” is an anthology of short stories about the funny happenings that occur when various famous and well-known people get together for a party or gathering. Jack Kirby, the co-creator of countless Marvel characters, would have turned 100 years old this year, and it’s safe to assume that he would have loved to have been a part of this wonderful celebration.
He Was The King Of Self-Regulation
It would be a missed opportunity if we don’t acknowledge the special person who single-handedly brought self-regulation to motorsport. That person is Michael Schumacher, and, as we’ve established, he was quite the party animal in his day. Now that he’s no longer among the living, perhaps it’s time for us to learn from his mistakes and be better party animals.
He Was A Vegetarian
As a child, Michael Schumacher was a vegetarian, inspired by his parents, who were both proponents of the ethical and health benefits of a plant-based diet. Since his wife, Corinna, is also a vegetarian, their children have grown up in a household that rarely eats meat. This practice has continued as the couple have now passed on their love of food to their adored grandchild, Isabella, who is also a vegetarian. According to family members, the 17-year-old has overcome her fears about eating animals and is now proud to be seen consuming dairy products and seafood. Her proud grandma Corinna has stated that she hopes Isabella follows in their footsteps and becomes a vegetarian as well. Maybe it’s time for you to consider becoming a vegetarian as well?
He Spent A Lot Of Time In The Stables
One of the places that Schumacher liked to get away to when he needed some peace and quiet was his stables. The German lived and breathed motorsport in his day, and it was only natural that he would want to give his horses the best environment in which to thrive. The stable block, which the owner built in the 1980s, is essentially a small farm that features eight large glass-enclosed indoor stalls. Each of these stalls can be adapted to accommodate a racehorse, and many of the champion driver’s steeds spent a lot of time in their care. Sadly, Schumacher wouldn’t live long enough to see the birth of his grandchild, Isabella, who was born in June 2019.
He Was A Huge Collector Of Antiquities
To this day, Michael Schumacher is credited with being one of the greatest collectors of antiquities in the sport. He was particularly enamored with ancient Greek and Roman culture and made a significant collection of statues, busts, pottery, and other relics of the bygone eras. The German racer amassed a large amount of memorabilia over the years, with many of his possessions being exhibited in a 2000-piece collection, “The Art Of Michael Schumacher,” that was put on display at the Grand Palais in Paris. The collection featured costumes worn by the champion, trophies and medals, photos, and more.