Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez are reportedly set to marry this weekend on the Portuguese island of Madeira, where the soccer star grew up. The ceremony is said to be taking place at Funchal Cathedral, with a reception planned at the five-star Savoy Palace hotel.
The couple's relationship began in 2016 when Rodríguez was working at a Gucci store in Madrid. Ronaldo entered the store with his eldest son while Rodríguez was preparing to leave for the day. She described the encounter as a moment that gave her "butterflies in my stomach."
Following their meeting, Ronaldo would pick up Rodríguez from work in his Bugatti, a stark contrast to her usual bus commute. By December of that year, she had quit her job as fans began to frequent the store. The pair made their first public appearance together at The Best FIFA Football Awards in January 2017, confirming their relationship. Their first Instagram post as a couple followed in March 2017.
Family Milestones
Rodríguez gave birth to twins Mateo and Eva via surrogacy in June 2017, followed by their daughter Alana Martina in November of the same year. The couple experienced a tragedy in April 2022 when their newborn son died during childbirth, while his twin sister, Bella Esmeralda, survived. Ronaldo has spoken about how the loss deepened their relationship, stating they supported each other through the difficult period.
The Proposal
After nearly a decade together, Ronaldo proposed to Rodríguez in August of the previous year with a large diamond ring. He had previously admitted that he needed to feel a "click" before marrying Rodríguez, explaining his delay in proposing. In an interview with Marca, he stated, "I always tell her, 'when we get that click.' Like everything with our life, and she knows what I'm talking about." He also revealed that his proposal was not meticulously planned, but rather an impromptu moment influenced by their daughters. "My daughters were in bed sleeping," Ronaldo told Piers Morgan. "One of my friends gave me the ring to offer Gio (Georgina) and as I was giving her the ring, my two kids come in and say 'Daddy, you're going to give the ring to mum and you're going to ask her to get married.'"
Rodríguez shared her acceptance on Instagram with the caption, "Yes I do. In this and in all my lives." Experts have estimated the engagement ring to be worth around £1.5 million.
Despite the public nature of their lives, Rodríguez reportedly prefers private celebrations, and Ronaldo has stated he respects her wishes regarding the wedding. While the couple has not officially confirmed the wedding, reports suggest preparations are underway at hotels in Funchal, with some areas reportedly reserved for private events.