Most people know the name Cristiano Ronaldo – even if they don’t follow soccer. He’s one of the world’s most bankable athletes, earning millions of dollars in endorsements each year. He remains, quite literally, at the top of his game – and, according to reports, he has the attitude to match.
So it’s entirely unsurprising that Real Madrid’s most successful player is often described as arrogant, and has long had the reputation of a bit of a fun-loving playboy.
But, in contrast to that image, Ronaldo is also a loving father of four. His 131 million followers on Instagram are regularly privvy to the athlete’s family life – even if they aren’t given the intimate details about the family’s structure.
And it is an intriguing structure, because Ronaldo has not approached family, or fatherhood, in the traditional way, meaning that he’s hasn’t followed the typical interpretation of the order of things; marriage, partnership, and then child. With the World Cup in full swing, and his name in daily headlines, now’s a perfect time to get to know the Portuguese 33-year-old father of four a little better.
Ronaldo’s oldest son, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr, seven, lives with the Real Madrid striker and grandmother, Dolores (Ronaldo’s mother), in Madrid. Cristiano Jr was born on June 17, 2010 in the United States, and has resided full-time with his father ever since.
Top Comments
If he wants to keep his reproductive arrangements private, that is entirely his prerogative. I imagine it’s for the privacy of the women involved too. That video at the end made me properly tear up, what a lovely thing to do.
I agree that it’s none of our business but have to admit I am curious in his thinking behind why he did things this way! Very unusual for a male, especially one of his profile.
It’s interesting, isn’t it. It’s unusual for a *straight* guy - plenty of gay guys have had kids this way, I guess they have fewer options. Plenty of single women have had babies or adopted etc without waiting for ‘Mr Right’. But it’s unusual for a straight guy to do it. He has the money to make it happen, I wonder how many single guys out there would do it if they didn’t have to worry about how to afford not just a surrogate, but also the ongoing things like childcare and other expenses? I think a lot of the curiosity is because child rearing is still considered such a ‘feminine’ trait.