The Untold Story Of Christiano Ronaldo's Birth, Mother Wanted To Abort Him, But Fate Had Other Plans
Long before the trophies, Ballon d'Ors, and global fame, Ronaldo's life almost never began. His mother, Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro, has openly admitted that she once wanted to abort him.
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Add BollywoodShaadis on GoogleCristiano Ronaldo has done it again. Fresh off another match-winning performance that helped Portugal progress at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the 41-year-old legend's career continues to reach new heights. As Portugal celebrates another memorable World Cup night, one person is undoubtedly happier than anyone else: his mother, Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro.
Years before Ronaldo became one of football's all-time greatest players, Maria once revealed that she had seriously considered ending her pregnancy. Today, with her son rewriting football history, that emotional chapter has resurfaced, reminding fans just how unusual Ronaldo's journey really was.
Cristiano Ronaldo's mother once wanted to abort him because of poverty
Unlike many football stars who emerged from humble beginnings, Ronaldo’s childhood was marked by extreme financial hardship and personal struggles. His incredible rise from those difficult circumstances has become one of sport’s most inspiring underdog stories. Long before the trophies, Ballon d’Ors, and global fame, Cristiano Ronaldo’s life almost never began.
His mother, Maria Dolores dos Santos Aveiro, has openly admitted that she desperately tried to abort him due to poverty and her family's struggles. Maria first shared the heartbreaking revelation in her 2014 autobiography, Mother Courage, and later again in the player's 2015 documentary, Ronaldo. When she became pregnant with Cristiano, the family was battling severe financial hardship. Her husband, José Dinis Aveiro, had long struggled with alcoholism, and raising another child seemed impossible. Recalling those testing times, Maria candidly admitted in her memoir:
"He is a child that I wanted to abort. God didn't want that to happen and I was blessed because of that. God didn't punish me."
While Maria was sure to have the baby aborted, her doctor refused to perform the procedure. Helpless with no hope for the baby, she even resorted to traditional methods she believed might end the pregnancy, including drinking warm beer and running until she became exhausted. The pregnancy, however, continued.
That "failure" turned out to be the best thing that has happened to Maria Dolores. Growing up, Cristiano Ronaldo was determined to bring his family out of poverty and prove his worth to his late father. Years later, the family would laugh about the story together. Maria shared:
"Sometimes Ronaldo makes fun of me and says: 'You didn’t want me to be born. But now you see that I’m here helping all of you.' And, well, sometimes we have a laugh about that."
Growing up in hardship
Ronaldo was born on February 5, 1985, in Funchal, Madeira, as the youngest of four children. His mother worked as both a cleaner and a cook to support the family, while his father earned a modest income as a gardener and kit man for local club CF Andorinha.
Life was far from glamorous. Ronaldo has often spoken about the financial struggles they endured and the impact his father's alcoholism had on the family. Speaking in a previous interview, the former Portuguese captain recalled:
"I cried every day. People say we have money and cars, but we suffered. He would drink nearly every day. It frustrates me that he was never able to see my successes."
José Dinis Aveiro died from alcohol-related liver failure in 2005 at the age of 52, just before Ronaldo established himself among football's global superstars.
And now, two decades later, Ronaldo literally has it all. From lifting countless trophies to becoming one of the richest and most celebrated athletes on the planet, his life is a far cry from the hardships of his childhood. It's almost impossible to believe that the man who inspired millions was once a baby his own mother believed she couldn't afford to bring into the world.
A mother's heartfelt message before Portugal's World Cup knockout clash
Ahead of Portugal's 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout fixture, Dolores shared an emotional public message celebrating everything her son has achieved. She also thanked Portuguese supporters for their unwavering love, adding that football "will always be in my heart." Her message, which now marks a full-circle moment most beautifully, reads:
"I am so proud that my son continues to make history. I want to thank all the fans who have always stood by you. You give so much to the world. A kiss for you, my son. Your mom will always be by your side."
Today, as Portugal continues its World Cup dream, Maria Dolores' emotional confession serves as a powerful reminder of just how close football came to never witnessing the rise of Cristiano Ronaldo.
