Michael Schumacher regularly sheds tears when he hears familiar sounds or looks at the beautiful scenery around his Lake Geneva home, according to reports.
Updates on the Formula 1 legend's condition are few and far between given the family's preference for privacy. Ever since his skiing accident towards the end of 2013, his wife Corinna has preferred to keep information about her husband's health restricted to close family and friends only.
That means it is rare that any new information is released publicly. But in 2015, Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reported the heart-wrenching news that the seven-time world champion becomes emotional when he hears something familiar.
"Schumi cries. And sometimes mysteriously," wrote reporter Giorgio Terruzi. "He cries when he hears his children, his wife's voice, his dogs. In the silence of that room, a tear runs down his thin face at a known sound. There is life, enclosed in a drop – there is the strength of a man who is moved and that moves each of us. We have his tears, his senses exposed."
And in 2018, French magazine Match quoted a "close relative" of Schumacher, who revealed that he also gets emotional when he takes in stunning views near his home. "When you put him in his wheelchair facing the beautiful panorama of the mountains overlooking the lake, Michael sometimes cries," they said.
To this day, Schumacher remains very much out of the public eye. He is cared for by his doting wide Corinna and a team of nurses at their home. Close friend Jean Todt is a regular visitor, and tries to stop by at least twice per month.
In his most recent update last month, former FIA chief Todt revealed: "I don't miss Michael. I can see him. But of course, what I miss is what we used to do together. Yes it's true – I watch the races with Michael."
Schumacher recently received the State Prize of North Rhine-Westphalia – the highest honour given out by the region. His wife burst into tears as she accepted the award on his behalf, supported by their daughter Gina-Maria and Todt.
Meanwhile, it was also reported last month that the Schumacher family has bought some land on the Spanish island of Majorca, close to the villa they already own. German magazine Bunte suggested the family plan to turn it into a horse ranch and use the whole property as their new "winter home".
