Michael Schumacher has not appeared in public since his accident in 2013. Nevertheless, the 53-year-old still receives awards for his life’s work.
Special award for Michael Schumacher: The Formula 1 record world champion from Kerpen received the State Prize of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia this year. The award ceremony will take place on July 20 at Motorworld Cologne. Schumacher’s wife Corinna and his two children Gina and Mick accept the award on their behalf.
His close friend Jean Todt will hold the laudation for the award winner. The French brought Schumacher to Ferrari in 1996, and the team boss and the top driver celebrated five driver and six constructor titles together.
“Michael Schumacher’s work as an athlete and as a supporter of a good cause radiates far beyond the borders of his homeland of North Rhine-Westphalia,” said NRW Prime Minister Hendrik Wüst. To this day, Schumacher (53) is one of the “outstanding personalities in global sports history”.
As a person, Schumacher, who has not appeared in public since a skiing accident in December 2013, “never lost his feet on the ground and always kept an eye on his fellow human beings,” explained Wüst.
The State Prize is the highest award of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It is usually awarded once a year. Most recently, in 2019, the former Federal Environment Minister Klaus Töpfer received the award. In 2020 and 2021, the State Prize was not awarded due to the pandemic.