Who is Georgina Rodríguez? The Model Talks Candidly About Family, Fame, And Her Future in Saudi Arabia
Georgina Rodríguez opens up about facing tragedy and triumphs in the spotlight as she builds a new home for her family in the Kingdom
Who is Georgina Rodríguez? The model and long-time partner of Cristiano Ronaldo talks candidly about family, fame, and her future in The Kingdom with Harper’s Bazaar Saudi.
With an estimated net worth of $12 million (SAR45,007,800) nearly 50 million Instagram followers and an eponymous reality series on Netflix, Georgina Rodríguez has quickly become one of the most talked about women in the world. Swept into the spotlight by Al-Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo, she has gone from selling luxury – the 29-year-old Spaniard was a sales assistant at Gucci when fate brought the Portuguese football star into her orbit – to sporting highly coveted Hermès bags and jet-setting around the world. While this rags-to-riches story may at first seem like a Cinderella-esque fairytale, in this exclusive interview with Harper’s Bazaar Saudi, we quickly discovered that Georgina Rodríguez wants to live her life like an open book – honest and real – during the good times and the bad.
Who is Georgina Rodríguez? The Model Talks Candidly About Family, Fame, And Her Future in Saudi Arabia
“You never really know who someone truly is through social media,” she shares when discussing her motivation behind her show, I Am Georgina. “I wanted to offer a glimpse into what my life is like and who I am, from my professional day-to-day to the private moments I share with family and friends. I want the public to get to know me and my essence, who I am behind cameras and off social media.”
One half of a bona fide power couple, ever since she stepped out with football sensation Cristiano in 2016, Georgina Rodríguez has found a way to carve her own path. As a professional model and lifestyle influencer, she has built her brand and secured partnerships with labels such as Chopard, Pasquale Bruni and Elisabetta Franchi. From the red carpet at Cannes – where she generated an estimated $1.2 million in Media Impact Value for L’Oréal according to Launchmetrics – to the front row at fashion week, viewers of her series get to watch Georgina lead a non-stop life in the luxury spotlight.
Yet, it only takes a few minutes to notice that despite her sudden exposure to fame and fortune, Georgina Rodríguez remains grounded and sincere. Her vulnerability in front of the camera is both heart-warming and tear-jerking as viewers watch her come to terms with the most exciting, and most traumatising times of her life. “Through my series, I wanted to normalise talking about every kind of situation in the most natural way possible. I talk about absolutely everything, from the happy to the devastating,” she says.
Georgina Rodríguez On…
FAMILY FIRST
The devastation Georgina Rodríguez alludes to is the most terrible of tragedies, the loss of her son, Angel. In season two, viewers witness an emotional Georgina open up and share her pain after losing her baby during childbirth. “It’s like I’m not ready to accept it yet,” she admits tearfully, “a piece of my heart flew away.” Viewers witness Georgina’s journey, from discovering her surprise pregnancy to walking out of the doctor’s office after a clean bill of health check-up. Then suddenly jolted by the reality that only one of her twin babies survived. Her willingness to share such a private moment with her fans is undoubtedly brave. By speaking about her loss, viewers get to feel more connected with Georgina and better understand who she really is. Even the greatest cynic would be forced to admire her strength and resilience as she faced the life-shattering moment head-on.
After a brief respite, Georgina Rodríguez carried on with her responsibilities, especially as a mother. With a newborn baby girl, Bella Esmeralda, and four other children (she is stepmother to three and has one other daughter with Ronaldo, Alana Martina), putting her life on pause was not an option. “The most important thing in the world to me and my absolute top priority are my children. When you become a mother, your priorities change and your own needs take a back seat. You live entirely for your family,” she says with conviction. Georgina Rodríguez always craved having a close-knit domestic unit. Now, especially after experiencing loss, family is more important to her than ever. “Motherhood shows you what pure, unconditional love really is and how to love others endlessly.”
But, how does a highly sought-after lifestyle influencer place her family first with such a hectic schedule? For Georgina Rodríguez, it’s all about staying organised and working her diary around time with ‘Cris’ (Cristiano) and the children. No matter what new projects come into play, the pair always aim to preserve the same priorities: each other and their family and friends. And it’s not just about arranging her agenda or keeping her priorities straight. Maintaining energy levels and staying healthy are key to her well-balanced life. “The truth is, I don’t stop, we travel loads and you need a lot of energy and motivation to carry out all of the responsibilities in my day-to-day. A strict routine of exercise and healthy eating is essential,” she insists. From full-body workouts at the gym to private bachata dance classes at home, Georgina Rodríguez is fully dedicated to her regimen, no matter where she is in the world.
NEW BEGINNINGS
In January, the whole clan relocated to the Middle East and now call Riyadh home. Cristiano joined the Al-Nassr football club as their striker, initiating a new chapter in their lives, which the footballer has confirmed will continue next year when he recently told sports reporters that “next season will be even better” when speaking about his future with the club. Since their move to Saudi, Georgina Rodríguez has taken the opportunity to immerse herself in its heritage and culture, enjoying the vibrant lifestyle that her new home has to offer.
She appreciates how important family values are in the country and how safe she feels in the Kingdom. She has also begun to explore the country, taking her family to Winter Wonderland in Riyadh and enjoying the beauty of its desert landscape, describing Saudi as “heaven on earth”. Her children have even taken to learning Arabic, something she proudly highlighted on her Instagram feed with videos of her daughters Eva and Alana reciting the days of the week and singing in Arabic.
“Travelling and living in new cultures, especially living in countries that are so different from each other, always helps you grow as a person. You open your mind and become more tolerant of those around you. They are all enriching experiences that we are very fortunate to experience,” she shares.
The move has, if anything, propelled her career even further. Both local and international media have been fascinated by how seamlessly the family has settled in, and Georgina Rodríguez seems to have gained a new fan base thanks to how she’s embraced – and stood up for – the region. It feels like a new chapter in her journey, and one that both established fans and new recruits are eager to follow.
Exciting collaborations have also come to fruition thanks to the relocation. She recently became the face of the Saudi fragrance company Laverne and now stars in the latest campaigns of the lens brand Amara. So, with all of this success already under her belt, how does she stay motivated from one shoot to the next? “The key is to carry out every project with the same passion and excitement as I did at the beginning,” says Georgina. She also prides herself in staying true to the values that have characterised her, insisting that “respect, eagerness and professionalism are three things that have always defined my professional path, these values are especially important to me.”
FASHION FOCUS
Her career is also clearly fuelled by her love of fashion. In season two of her series, fans get to see Georgina Rodríguez fly to France and sit front row at Jacquemus’ mesmerising Le Papier show over dunes of salt in Arles. She is spotted rubbing shoulders with the likes of Victoria Beckham and singer-songwriter Nathy Peluso – her evident excitement over the encounters is endearing. “Fashion is a way of expressing who you are and how you feel. It’s also a point of connection among people who are completely different from each other,” she enthuses. “It brings them together to share something in common. I’ve met many of my friends and special people thanks to fashion.”
What’s perhaps most refreshing about Georgina’s own style is the down-to-earth way she pairs her diamond-encrusted Chopard watches and ostrich-leather Birkins with highly- accessible athleisure wear. She can move easily between old Hollywood glamour looks, like the gold gown by Tunisian Ali Karoui that she wore last month to walk the red-carpeted steps of the Cannes Film Festival, to practical (and more relatable) everyday ensembles such as her beloved Alo Yoga outfits. But no matter what she wears, whether it be sweatpants and a bucket hat to couture dresses, Georgina Rodríguez never leaves home without her favourite, and always impressive, jewellery.
And, while fans might lust after her jet-set life, the mother-of-five knows that a career in the spotlight isn’t always glamorous. It requires a thick skin and a sound mind. When asked what advice she’d give others, she discusses the dangers of people-pleasing: “You can’t make everyone happy. You can’t let anyone influence you, doubt yourself or let negative thoughts throw you off your path.” Having millions of followers on social media also means dealing with a certain amount of haters and scrutiny, but that’s nothing Georgina isn’t capable of handling. “Negative comments come from people who don’t know me. You can’t let that type of toxicity dominate your life or your thoughts.”
HAPPILY EVER AFTER
Despite the criticism that comes her way, Georgina Rodríguez’s happiness is clearly palpable. Her gratitude for her family, her success and for meeting Cristiano is evident. When asked if she would ever go back to her previous life, she shares, “It’s the small things that you miss. Being able to sit on a bench in the street or go to the park with your children without feeling observed.”
So, what’s next for the young model, mother and business woman? A luxury label? A new fashion ambassadorship? We will have to wait and see. But what we know for sure is that Georgina is going to stay true to herself, never forgetting where she came from and keeping her family at the centre of her world. This is the secret to her success and she continues to inspire others to do the same. Or as Georgina Rodríguez puts it, “I would like people to remember me as a person who was true to their values, kind-hearted and thankful for everything in my life.”
Photography: Vladimir Marti. Styling: Anna Castan.
Editor in Chief: Olivia Phillips. Arabic Editor: Khulood Ahmed. Art Director: Oscar Yáñez. Make-Up: Fer Martínez at Esther Almansa Management. Hair: Serpiente at One Off Artists. Producer: Steff Hawker. Set Design: Studio Elisabeth Herzog. Talent Management: Angels Project. Photographer’s Assistant: Sara Guillén. Stylist’s Assistant: Christian Marchesich
From Harper’s Bazaar Saudi’s Summer 2023 issue