Michael Schumacher's life-changing injury and recovery after accident

Ask any sports enthusiast to list their top 10 athletes of all time, and it's a safe bet that Michael Schumacher would feature prominently. The German F1 driver became synonymous with motor racing and success in the late 1990s and early 2000s, clinching a joint-record seven titles in the sport.

However, his life took a dramatic turn on December 29, 2013, when he was involved in a devastating skiing accident. The then 44 year old sustained life-altering injuries in the incident, which led him to retreat from public life for nearly 11 years - until recently, when he reportedly made an appearance at his daughter Gina Maria's wedding last Saturday.

But before we delve into that, let's first examine the series of events that led to this moment, amidst rumours, speculation, and legal battles shrouded in secrecy. What happened to Schumacher?

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The driver retired from the sport for a second time in 2012 and was holidaying in late 2013 with his family - his wife Corinna, son Mick and daughter Gina - in the resort of Meribel in France.

The German, an avid skier who owned a chalet in the area and often spent holidays there, usually coinciding with his birthday on January 3, was involved in an accident on the morning of December 29. Schumacher hit a rock, striking the right side of his head and splitting his helmet in two, reports Wales Online.

He was airlifted to hospital after initially being conscious. He was taken to Moutiers, before being moved to a specialist unit in Grenoble.

Upon arrival at the hospital, he was in a