Michael Schumacher is a German former racing driver who competed in Formula One for Jordan, Benetton, Ferrari, and Mercedes. Renowned for his speed and precision, Schumacher has a joint-record seven World Drivers’ Championship titles to his name, tied with Lewis Hamilton.
Here you can follow Michael Schumacher’s net worth, salary, career earnings, contract, stats, wife, career overview, and more.
About Michael Schumacher
Michael Schumacher was born on January 3, 1969, in Hürth-Hermülheim, West Germany, into a working-class family. His father, Rolf Schumacher, was a bricklayer who later managed a local kart track, a factor that played a significant role in Michael’s early interest in racing.
From a young age, Schumacher showed an exceptional talent for racing, winning his first karting championship at the age of six with a kart built from discarded part.
Early Life
Schumacher began his racing career in karting, winning his first championship at the age of six. He obtained a kart license in Luxembourg at the age of 12 due to Germany’s age restriction for kart racing. By 1987, he had won both the German and European karting titles.
Schumacher’s transition from karting to single-seat car racing began in 1988, and by 1990, he had already clinched the German Formula Three Championship and the Macau Grand Prix, setting the stage for his entry into Formula 1.
Professional Career
In 1991, Schumacher made his Formula 1 debut with the Jordan team at the Belgian Grand Prix. He was immediately signed by Benetton for the rest of the season. With Benetton, he won his first and second drivers’ titles consecutively in 1994 and 1995.
Schumacher moved to Ferrari in 1996, a team that had been struggling to capture a championship. After a severe accident in 1999, he made a remarkable comeback to win his third championship in 2000, which was Ferrari’s first drivers’ title since 1979.
This victory was the start of a historic run of five consecutive world championships from 2000 to 2004, breaking Juan Manuel Fangio’s record of five titles. After finishing third in 2005 and second in 2006, Schumacher retired from the sport.
In December 2009, Schumacher announced a surprising return to Formula 1 with the Mercedes team for the 2010 season. He raced for three seasons with Mercedes but did not achieve the same level of success as before. He retired for the second time in 2012.
Michael Schumacher’s Net Worth Details
Michael Schumacher’s net worth is estimated to be $780 million as of 2025. His earnings come from his salary as a professional Formula 1 racer, endorsements, and other sources.
Salary
Michael Schumacher’s salary and endorsements over his career have contributed to a significant net worth. Here’s an overview of what is known about his earnings:
- During his career at Ferrari, Schumacher’s salary was reported to be £16 million, which rose to around £30 million in 1999.
- After a break from the sport, Schumacher returned to Formula 1 with Mercedes in 2010, where his salary was estimated at nearly 30 million pounds annually, including a basic salary of £21m, plus £9m in private endorsements.
- Even after his skiing accident in 2013, Schumacher continued to earn $50 million every year through endorsements.
Career Earnings
| Year | Team | Estimated Earnings |
| 1996 | Ferrari | £16 million |
| 1999 | Ferrari | £30 million |
| 2010-2012 | Mercedes | £30 million annually (including £21m salary and £9m endorsements) |
| Peak Career Years | Ferrari | $80-$100 million annually (salary and endorsements) |
| Non-Racing Years | Endorsements | $50 million annually |
| Total Career Earnings | 1991-2012 | Over $1 billion (including salary and endorsements) |
Endorsements
Michael Schumacher’s endorsements have been a significant part of his income throughout his career.
Here are some of the major endorsements that contributed to his income:
- Shell: At the peak of his career, Schumacher was paid $10 million per year by Shell to wear a hat with the company’s logo at nearly all public appearances.
- Deutsche Vermögensberatung: He earned $8 million by wearing a cap with the logo of Deutsche Vermögensberatung, a financial services company.
- Audemars Piguet: A luxury Swiss watch manufacturer, Audemars Piguet, was one of his sponsors.
- Navy Boot: A sponsor that is associated with Schumacher is Navy Boot, a footwear brand.
- Marlboro: The tobacco company Marlboro was a major sponsor during his time with Ferrari.
- Vodafone: Schumacher also had an endorsement deal with Vodafone, a multinational telecommunications company.
Personal Details
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Michael Schumacher |
| Nickname | Schumi, Schuey, Regenmeister |
| Birth Date | January 3, 1969 |
| Height | 1.74 meters (5 feet 8½ inches) |
| Weight | 74 kg (163 lbs) |
| Birthplace | Hürth-Hermülheim, West Germany |
| Nationality | German |
| Current Net Worth | $780 million |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Wife | Corinna Schumacher |
| Instagram Profile | @michaelschumacher |
Wife
Michael Schumacher’s wife is Corinna Schumacher. They have been married since 1995 and have two children together.
Corinna has been a steadfast presence by Michael’s side, especially following his tragic skiing accident in December 2013, which resulted in a severe brain injury and left him in a medically induced coma.
Career Achievements
| Achievement | Detail |
| Formula One World Championships | 7 (1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004) |
| Grand Prix Wins | 91 |
| Podium Finishes | 155 |
| European Sportsperson of the Year | 2001, 2002, 2003 |
| UNESCO Champion for Sport | 2002 |
| Silbernes Lorbeerblatt (Silver Laurel Leaf) | 1997 |
| Marca Leyenda Award | 2001 |
| Honorary Citizenship | Modena (2001), Sarajevo |
| L’Équipe Champion of Champions | Multiple years |
| F1 Racing Award – Driver of the Year | 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006 |
| F1 Racing Award – Man of the Year | 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006 |
| F1 Racing Award – Qualifier of the Year | 2001, 2004 |
| Autosport International Racing Driver of the Year | 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002 |
| German Sports Personality of the Year | 1995, 2004 |
| Commendatore Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana | Awarded |
| Légion d’Honneur | Awarded |
| Prince of Asturias Award for Sports | Awarded |
| Bandini Trophy | 2003 |
| FIA Hall of Fame | Inducted |
FAQs
Who is Michael Schumacher?
Michael Schumacher is a retired German racing driver, widely regarded as one of the greatest Formula One (F1) drivers. He was born on January 3, 1969, in Hürth, West Germany. Schumacher is a seven-time World Drivers’ Champion and held numerous records in F1 during his career.
What are Michael Schumacher’s major achievements in Formula One?
Schumacher’s major achievements include winning seven World Drivers’ Championship titles (1994, 1995, 2000-2004), securing 91 Grand Prix victories, 68 pole positions, and 155 podium finishes. He also holds the record for the fastest laps in F1 with 77.
How did Michael Schumacher start his racing career?
Schumacher began his racing career in karting at a young age. His father built him a kart from discarded parts, and he won his first karting championship at age six. He progressed through various racing series, including Formula Ford and Formula Three, before making his F1 debut with Jordan in 1991.
Which teams did Michael Schumacher race for in Formula One?
Schumacher raced for several F1 teams, including Jordan, Benetton, Ferrari, and Mercedes. He achieved his greatest success with Ferrari, winning five consecutive World Championships from 2000 to 2004.
What is Michael Schumacher’s most famous moment in F1?
One of Schumacher’s most famous moments is his “Showtime Kick” against Benson Henderson in the WEC, considered one of the most iconic moments in MMA history. In F1, his dominance with Ferrari, particularly his five consecutive titles from 2000 to 2004, highlights his career.
What happened to Michael Schumacher after he retired from F1?
After retiring from F1 in 2006, Schumacher briefly returned with Mercedes from 2010 to 2012. Tragically, in December 2013, he suffered a severe head injury in a skiing accident in the French Alps. He was placed in a medically induced coma and has since been undergoing rehabilitation.
What is Michael Schumacher’s family background?
Schumacher is married to Corinna Betsch and has two children, Gina-Maria and Mick. His younger brother, Ralf Schumacher, is also a former F1 driver. Mick Schumacher followed in his father’s footsteps and made his F1 debut with Haas in 2021.
What records did Michael Schumacher set during his F1 career?
Schumacher set numerous records, including the most World Championships (7), the most Grand Prix wins (91), the most pole positions (68), and the fastest laps (77). Many of these records have since been broken by Lewis Hamilton, but Schumacher remains a legendary figure in the sport.
What are some of Michael Schumacher’s contributions outside of racing?
Schumacher has been involved in various charitable activities. He was appointed a UNESCO Champion for Sport in 2002 and has donated tens of millions of dollars to charity. He also supported numerous humanitarian projects and was known for his generosity.
How is Michael Schumacher’s legacy remembered today?
Schumacher’s legacy is remembered as unparalleled success and dominance in F1. He is celebrated for his exceptional driving skills, work ethic, and ability to push the limits of his car. Despite his tragic accident, Schumacher’s influence on the sport and his contributions to racing inspires fans and drivers worldwide. His life and career were commemorated in the 2021 Netflix documentary “Schumacher.”
