Cristiano Ronaldo’s mom Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro and dad José Dinis Aveiro encouraged his soccer dreams

Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus poses with the Serie A trophy alongside his mother Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro after winning the Serie A Championship 2018-2019 (8th title in a row) at the end of the Serie A football match between Juventus FC and Atalanta BC; Cristiano Ronaldo poses with son and a painting of his dad José Dinis Aveiro. Photo: Nicola Campo/LightRocket via Getty; Cristiano Ronaldo/Instagram

Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the biggest names in soccer, but while he’s worked hard to make it to the top, he also credits his parents — Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro and José Dinis Aveiro — for believing in him.

The athlete grew up in Funchal, the capital city of the Portuguese island of Madeira, with his mom, dad and three older siblings.

José was a soccer fan and worked as a kit man for a local soccer club, where he would sometimes bring a young Ronaldo along. Meanwhile, Maria worked as a cleaner as well as a cook in hospitality.

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Sadly, José died in 2005, but Ronaldo continues to remember him through tributes on social media and by sharing rare stories during interviews. Since then, Maria has remained a constant support system for her son, who has also been by her side through health scares.

Here’s everything to know about Cristiano Ronaldo’s parents, Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro and José Dinis Aveiro.

Ronaldo’s parents had different professions

Cristiano Ronaldo’s mom Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro poses for a photo near water. Maria Dolores/Instagram

Growing up, Maria worked as a cleaner and cook before eventually opening her own restaurant in Brazil, Casa Aveiro.

Meanwhile, José was a gardener and a part-time kit man for a local soccer team, CF Andorinha. According to The New York Times, when Ronaldo was 12 years old in the late 1990s, José was the equipment manager for Andorinha’s senior team.

Before his career in soccer, though, Ronaldo’s dad had been enlisted to fight for Portugal in the Angolan War of Independence in the ’70s, per ESPN. Upon his return, he began working odd jobs to help support his family.

Maria and José welcomed four children

Real Madrid and Portugal’s forward and winner of The Best FIFA Mens Player of 2016 Award Cristiano Ronaldo poses with partner Georgina Rodriguez, his sisters Elma Aveiro and Katia Aveiro, his mom Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro and his son Cristiano Ronaldo Jr. onstage following The Best FIFA Football Awards 2016 ceremony, on January 9, 2017 in Zurich. FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty

Maria and José shared four children, who they raised in the parish of Santo António in Funchal, Madeira. 

They welcomed a son, Hugo, followed by daughters Elma and Liliana Cátia, the latter who is better known as Katia, according to The Guardian.

Maria and José then celebrated the birth of Cristiano Ronaldo in 1985. The athlete’s mother chose the name Cristiano, and his father picked Ronaldo, after then-President Ronald Reagan, who was his favorite actor.

José believed in Ronaldo’s soccer dreams from the start

Cristiano Ronaldo throwback photo with parents, mom Maria Dolores dos Santos and dad José Dinis Aveiro. Cristiano Ronaldo/Instagram

In an interview with Piers Morgan in 2019, Ronaldo opened up about his upbringing, rise to fame and historic career.

Apart from reflecting on his family’s humble roots, he touched on his father’s struggle with alcohol and how it prevented them from forming a stronger relationship.

“I really [didn’t] know my father 100 percent,” Ronaldo said. “I never spoke with him, like a normal conversation. It was hard.”

Still, the athlete knew how much José believed in his ability to go far in soccer. Ronaldo’s passion for the sport was fueled by his dad taking him to his part-time job at CF Andorinha, according to Diário de Notícias.

“He treated me [unbelievably]. I was like the diamond of the family, and he knew that I would be a football player,” Ronaldo explained to Morgan.

José died in 2005

Cristiano Ronaldo poses with children and a painting of his dad José Dinis Aveiro. Cristiano Ronaldo/Instagram

José died of alcohol-related liver failure at the age of 52 in September 2005, according to ESPN.

During his conversation with Morgan, Ronaldo became emotional after watching a video of his father he hadn’t previously seen, in which José spoke about one of his latest games.

“I’m proud to see my son in this situation,” he said in the clip. “I could go to Lisbon to see the final but my nerves are too much. I get too anxious, I can’t do it. It’s better to see the game on TV.”

According to Ronaldo, he was overwhelmed by the fact that, José never got to see his successes.

“For me, it’s made me sad because … to be No. 1 and he [didn’t] see [anything], he didn’t see me receive awards, didn’t see what I [became],” he explained.

Over the years, Ronaldo has paid tribute to his father. In 2017, he posed for a photo with his son, Cristiano Jr., and his newborn twins, Eva and Mateo, in which there was a painting of José in the background.

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Maria has an impressive following on social media

Cristiano Ronaldo takes a photo with his mom Maria Dolores dos Santos. Maria Dolores/Instagram

Since helping raise a family, Ronaldo’s mom has explored different parts of life and captured moments for social media.

Maria has 4.1 million followers on Instagram, where she enjoys sharing photos of herself and her family. She also has a highlight dedicated to posts of Ronaldo, her grandkids and other friends.

In December 2021, she shared a photo of her family celebrating Christmas together, including Ronaldo, his longtime girlfriend Georgina Rodríguez, and their children.

Ronaldo’s mother found love again

Cristiano Ronaldo’s mom Maria Dolores dos Santos with her partner Jose Andrade. Maria Dolores/Instagram

After the death of her husband, Maria started dating Jose Andrade, though their romantic timeline is unknown. They often post photos of each other on Instagram and it seems he has a good relationship with her son too.

After Ronaldo moved from Real Madrid to Juventus in 2018, Andrade posted a photo of the pair toasting the news on social media.

During Ronaldo’s time at Juventus, Andrade shared snaps of himself at the team’s stadium and with Ronaldo’s kids.

Maria has experienced health issues in recent years

Cristiano Ronaldo’s mom Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro poses for a photo outdoors. Maria Dolores/Instagram

In 2007, Maria was diagnosed with breast cancer and overcame the illness two years later, according to Metro. Ronaldo’s mom reportedly dealt with breast cancer again in 2019 and received treatment.

The following year, Maria had a stroke, and her family traveled to be by her side, including Ronaldo, who was playing in Italy. According to Sports Illustrated, she underwent surgery, and shortly after, Ronaldo expressed his gratitude to the health workers who helped her.

“Thank you for all your messages of support for my mum,” he wrote on X (previously Twitter) in March 2020. “She is currently stable and recovering in hospital. Me and my family would like to thank the medical team looking after her, and kindly ask that we are all given some privacy at this time.”

She appears to have made a full recovery since.

Maria and José encouraged Ronaldo’s career in different ways

Manchester United’s Portuguese midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with his mother Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro and the English Premier League trophy after the 0-0 draw with Arsenal in the English Premier League football match at Old Trafford, Manchester, north-west England, on May 16, 2009.The club’s third title in a row equals Liverpool’s record of 18 League championships. ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Gett

Although José didn’t witness Ronaldo’s full potential before his death, he acknowledged Maria’s role in helping their son reach the top.

In the video Morgan showed Ronaldo for the first time in their 2019 interview, José praised his wife’s efforts. “[Maria] is indispensable. She gives him care,” Ronaldo’s dad said. “She is his bodyguard; he gets five-star attention.”

The soccer star has also recognized her through heartfelt tributes, even when there isn’t a special occasion.

“My mother is, without any doubt, [couragous],” he wrote on Instagram. “I feel very thankful and proud to be her son and to have her in my life.”