Willie Weber
Schumacher manager “almost died” from hospital germs
Willi Weber (right) with his protégé Michael Schumacher in Spain in 2009.
© Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
Willi Weber, Michael Schumacher’s ex-manager, almost died of blood poisoning. He is now back at home.
Great concern for the former manager of Michael Schumacher (54): Willi Weber (80) “almost died” due to a hospital germ. This was confirmed by his partner Heike Geißler (48) in an interview with the “Bild” newspaper. In the meantime, however, he is no longer in the clinic, the report continues. He has been back in his villa in Stuttgart for a week. He had previously contracted blood poisoning, had to be flushed with antibiotics five times and had multiple surgeries. “I’m finally back home,” Weber is happy about the light at the end of the tunnel.
Weber himself also speaks in the report about his current state of health: “I have a problem with my legs, I can only walk with a trolley at the moment, it’s still too early for crutches, I need patience, I do physiotherapy regularly now.” A nurse is currently taking care of him. Weber actually wanted to be treated for nerve pain after shingles in November 2022 because he couldn’t walk well. But that was the beginning of the long ordeal for the former Formula 1 manager.
Willi Weber also looked after international top models
His partner knows what helps Weber on the road to recovery: “Excitement is poison for him at the moment. He needs mental calm, that helps him, then he’ll be fit again. He’s a strong-willed man.”
Born in Regensburg, who ran numerous catering businesses in the 1980s, he was initially active as a racing driver himself. He met the up-and-coming talent Michael Schumacher at an early age and became his manager. Weber financed Schumacher’s entry into professional motorsport and later brought him into Formula 1. At his side, Schumi became world champion seven times and won 91 races in the pinnacle of racing.
After 20 years, Weber handed over the management of Schumacher in 2010. His other clients included the racing athletes Ralf Schumacher (47), Nico Hülkenberg (35), Timo Scheider (44) and Jutta Kleinschmidt (60). At times he also represented the interests of top international models such as Claudia Schiffer (52) and Naomi Campbell (52).