Michael Schumacher’s family banned Eddie Jordan from visiting even in the face of his terminal illness

One of the most endearing and heartbreaking relationships in world sport has ended after Formula One legend Eddie Jordan passed away this week without being able to say goodbye to his megastar friend Michael Schumacher.

For years Jordan had tried to convince Schumachers’s family to allow him to visit his former apprentice in a bid to send his best wishes to the former glamour boy of F1 who suffered catastrophic injuries in a skiing accident in 2014.

The ultra-private Schumacher family governed by Michael’s wife, Corinna, has only allowed a few people to see Schumacher after the horrific crash and speculation around the extent of his injuries and his wellbeing has been rife over a number of years.

Jordan died after a lengthy battle with bladder and prostate cancer at age 76 this week and tributes have flowed for the man who was willing to take a gamble on a young German driver who many believe is the greatest of all time.

After many requests, Jordan went on the record in 2023 to explain he had effectively been banned from visiting his long time friend, such were strict measures in place to safeguard the Schumachers’ privacy.

.Jordan said that he “made an effort to go and see Michael in the early days” but was refused.

“Privacy is such a vital aspect to sport, business and your personal life,’ Jordan explained. ‘[Corinna] has set out some rules, I know her very well.

“She’s a lovely girl and I knew her when she married Michael so there is a long history of good relations.

“I made an effort to go see Michael in the early days and Corinna refused, and rightfully so because too many people wanted to go see him.

“Jean Todt was given the privilege to go see him because of how close they were from their time together at Ferrari which is completely understandable.

“I was not able to go see Michael and they said ‘We love you Eddie and we’ve been involved with you for a very long time, but we do need privacy and safeguard of Michael’.”

Jordan insisted he felt no ill-will towards the Schumacher family, as he expressed deep sympathy for the situation that Corinna had been placed in by the accident.

History recorded that Schumacher left Jordan and blazed a trail in becoming a giant of the sport, but the pair remained close friends for years and shared an emotional moment when Schumacher completed his 300th race in 2012.

“At his 300th grand prix 20 years later, I handed him a new one (clutch), symbolically after his burnt out in the race race for Jordan. Michael took me in his arms and said ‘Eddie, nobody would have thought back then that we would still be here’. There were tears in my eyes.”

Jordan’s sympathy for the Schumacher family was never more eivdent than qwhen he spoke about Michael’s wife and the issues she faces every day.

“It’s been nearly ten years now and Corinna has not been able to go to a party, to lunch or this or that, she’s like a prisoner because everyone would want to talk to her about Michael when she doesn’t need reminding of it every minute.”

Jordan’s death was confirmed on Thursday morning as his family and the F1 community paid tribute to him.