Over the course of this month, Cristiano Ronaldo and his long-term girlfriend Georgina Rodríguez made the heartbreaking announcement that they have suffered the loss of one of their twin newborns.

The news that our newborn son has passed away is something that we must communicate with the utmost regret and sorrow. In a united statement, they expressed that it is the most excruciating pain that any parent could ever experience. “You are our angel, our little boy,” we said. All of us will continue to love you.

 

In spite of this, the couple claimed that the arrival of their daughter was providing them with the “strength to live this moment with some hope and happiness.”

 

As far as the footballing superstar is concerned, family has always been the most important thing in his life, even before he became famous. This is how it works…

 

1. Saying his mother is his “sanctuary” and “greatest gift”

Cristiano Ronaldo’s mother, Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro, worked as a cleaner while he was growing up, and often struggled to afford food for the family. Photo: @cristiano/Instagram

 

That’s how Ronaldo has reportedly described his mother, Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro, who he said made huge sacrifices during his tough childhood. “She went to bed hungry to feed me. We had no money. She worked seven days a week and worked nights as a cleaner to buy me a pair of football boots so I could play,” he was quoted as saying by Unique Times. “My whole success is dedicated to her. And as long as she lives, she will always have everything I can give her.”

Cristiano Ronaldo calls his mother, Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro, his greatest gift, and began spoiling her as soon as he scored his first contract with Real Madrid. Photo: @cristiano/Instagram

Ronaldo has kept his promise. In 2009, after being bought by Real Madrid for a record-breaking US$131.5 million, he bought his mother a US$2.6 million house in the city, according to British media. Reports also detail how he gifted her a Porsche on her birthday back in 2015, and a US$10,800 Mercedes-Benz on Mother’s Day in 2020. He also reportedly regularly splashes out around US$6,300 for his mum and her friends to fly to Cabo Verde and play boules on the beach together.

2. Helping his siblings out financially

Cristiano Ronaldo’s sisters, Katia and Elma. Photo: @katiaaveirooficial/Instagram

The youngest member of the family not only has a close bond with his older siblings, but also looks out for them.

At just 16, Ronaldo, then earning more than his mother, offered to pay for rehab treatment for his brother Hugo, according to British media. Happily, Hugo, 47, is now sober and managing the CR7 museum in their hometown of Madeira, Portugal.

Cristiano Ronaldo with his mother and sisters, who he’s been able to help in various ways thanks to his huge wealth. Photo: @cristiano/Instagram

Ronaldo also helped his sister Katia hire RedOne, the producer of Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez and Pitbull to help her pursue her music career. She debuted with the stage name Ronalda in reference to him, and went on to become a famous singer in Portugal. Meanwhile, his eldest sister Elma made a living for almost 15 years out of a CR7 shop in Madeira before closing it this year due to her busy schedule, British media reports.

3. Spoiling his girlfriend Georgina Rodríguez

Cristiano Ronaldo’s wealth means he is able to spoil girlfriend Georgina Rodríguez rotten. Photo: @cristiano/InstagramWhen it comes to his partner and kids’ mother, Ronaldo pampers Rodríguez like a princess. For example, she reportedly gets a monthly allowance of around US$110,000 from him in addition to getting around in supercars and enjoying luxury holidays. He also proposed to her with a US$830,000 Cartier engagement ring – believed to be the “most expensive ring a footballer has ever gifted to a WAG [wife and girlfriend]”, according to newspapers – and a giant US$146,000 Louis Vuitton jewellery box to keep her bling in.

4. He always dreamed of becoming a father at a young age

Cristiano Ronaldo with his son, Cristiano Jr., who just signed with Manchester United’s youth academy. Photo: @cristiano/Instagram

Ronaldo became a father at 25 when his first child, Cristiano Jr., was born in 2010. He has full custody of the 11-year-old and the boy’s mother remains anonymous due to an agreement the pair have. Despite things not working out with Cristiano Jr.’s mum, Ronaldo says he was still totally ready to be a dad. “It was always my dream to have a child young, when I was 25,” he told EFE.

Like father, like son: Cristiano Jr. is following in his dad’s footsteps. He signed a contract with Manchester United earlier this year after spending two years in Juventus’ academy system while his father was playing in the Serie A. He will become CR7’s second generation at Manchester United, also adopting the famous No 7 shirt.

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5. He wants an even bigger family

Ronaldo so enjoyed being a father that he couldn’t wait to have more children. In June 2017, he became a father again – this time of twins Eva and Mateo – via a surrogate mother, only a short time after he began dating Rodríguez in 2016.

A few months later in November 2017, he welcomed his fourth child (and his first with Rodríguez), daughter Alana Martina.

His fifth newborn baby girl may not be the last. “I want to have seven children and as many Ballons d’Or,” the six-time Ballon d’Or winner told ESPN.

6. Having fun with his fam is his favourite thing

Cristiano Ronaldo the family man: the footballer has always wanted a big family. Photo: @cristiano/Instagram

When Ronaldo is not on the field, he’s almost always pictured having fun with his family. After having Cristiano Jr., he discovered that his favourite pastime was playing with him, he told ESPN. Ronaldo’s Instagram is testament to that, full of photos of his family laughing and taking selfies together in their swanky indoor pool and jacuzzi, cycling together or sunning themselves on yachts.

Cristiano Ronaldo once told ESPN that playing with his son was one of his favourite pastimes. Photo: @cristiano/Instagram

“Becoming a parent and raising my family is honestly the greatest privilege I’ve had. I’m enjoying every second of it,” he told Hello magazine. “It’s such a unique and personal journey, but something that has completely changed me. It has shown me things about love I never knew existed. It has softened me and given me new perspective on what is really important in life.”

7. He says family is more important than anything

The most recent family photo Cristiano Ronaldo posted on Instagram also included the hashtag “proud”. Photo: @cristiano/Instagram

In the latest photo he shared of himself with Rodríguez and the kids in a park, Ronaldo wrote beneath it: “Family is everything.”

“If you don’t have family, life will be very, very tough,” he mused in his biographical film Ronaldo (2015). “My family comes first,” he also said in an interview with Mirror. “After that, it’s the football that matters most to me. Money comes after that.”

At the conclusion of their swim, Cristiano Ronaldo, Georgina Rodríguez, and their children are drying off. Image courtesy of @cristiano/InstagramOne of the wealthiest football players in the world made the following observation: “I have millions and billions, but the most important thing is family.” As the saying goes, “The most important thing in the world is to ensure that your family is healthy and that you take care of them by doing so.”