What happened to Michael Schumacher in skiing accident that gave F1 legend life-changing injuries

If you were to ask anyone to list their top 10 sports personalities of all time, it's a safe bet that Michael Schumacher would feature. The German F1 driver became synonymous with motor racing and success in the late 1990s and early 2000s, clinching a joint-record seven titles.

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 attended his daughter Gina Maria's wedding last Saturday.

But before we delve into that, let's first review the sequence of events that led to this moment.

READ MORE: Michael Schumacher 'spotted in public for first time in 11 years'

READ MORE: Jake Paul vs KSI fight feelings made clear by Turki Alalshikh amid mega fight claims

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

A keen skier, the German owned a chalet in the area and often spent holidays there, usually around his birthday on January 3. On the morning of December 29, Schumacher was involved in an accident where he hit a rock, causing severe damage to the right side of his head and splitting his helmet in two.

Initially conscious, he was airlifted to Moutiers hospital, before being transferred to a specialist unit in Grenoble.

Upon arrival at the hospital, he was in a coma and underwent immediate surgery to reduce brain swelling. Neurosurgeon Stephan Chabardes told reporters at a press briefing: "He didn't respond to questions after the accident. He didn't have a