When Santiago Giménez stepped onto the pitch at San Siro wearing “Zolotarchuk” on his AC Milan jersey this past Mother’s Day, he sparked curiosity across the football world. That name belongs to his mother, María Bernarda Giménez—a woman who’s spent two decades quietly shaping one of football’s most compelling family stories.
Who Is María Bernarda Giménez?
María Bernarda Giménez is the wife of former footballer Christian Giménez and mother to AC Milan striker Santiago Giménez. Born in Argentina with Ukrainian heritage through her father José Zolotarchuk, she’s become the anchor of a binational football family that bridges three continents.
Her life changed dramatically in 2004 when her husband signed with Mexican club Veracruz. What started as a temporary move became permanent—María Bernarda raised three children in Mexico while Christian played for clubs like Cruz Azul and Pachuca. She adapted to a new country, learned its customs, and built a home thousands of miles from her Argentine roots.
The football community knows her primarily through Santiago’s success, but her story runs deeper. She’s maintained her family’s stability through constant relocations, pressure-filled seasons, and the unique challenges that come with life in professional sports.
Early Life and Argentine Heritage
María Bernarda grew up in Argentina, where football culture runs through every neighborhood. Her maiden name, Zolotarchuk, points to Ukrainian ancestry—a heritage that would resurface decades later in an emotional tribute at Milan.
Argentine values shaped her approach to family life. The importance of close-knit relationships, resilience through hardship, and unwavering support for loved ones became the foundation of how she’d later raise her own children. These principles guided her when she eventually left everything familiar behind.
Details about her early years remain private—she’s never sought the spotlight that often follows football families. What’s clear is that her upbringing in Argentina prepared her for the adaptability she’d need as a football wife and mother.
Marriage to Christian Giménez
María Bernarda married Christian Giménez in the early 2000s, when his career was taking off in Argentine football. Christian, born in 1981, had made his mark at Boca Juniors before opportunities emerged in Mexico.
Their relationship developed during Christian’s rise through Argentine clubs. He wasn’t just talented—he became one of the most recognized Argentine players in Mexican football history. His playmaking abilities earned him contracts with top Liga MX teams, including a memorable stint at Cruz Azul where he became a fan favorite.
María Bernarda understood from the start that football would dictate their family’s rhythm. Training schedules, match days, transfers, and public attention became part of daily life. She managed the household while Christian focused on his career, creating stability their children could depend on.
The Move to Mexico and Cultural Adaptation
The 2004 relocation to Veracruz marked a turning point. México wasn’t just a new city—it was a different country with its own traditions, language nuances, and way of life. María Bernarda arrived with young children, far from extended family and familiar surroundings.
She didn’t just survive the transition—she thrived. Learning to navigate Mexican systems, making new connections, and helping her children adjust required constant effort. The family moved between cities as Christian’s career progressed, from Veracruz to Pachuca to Cruz Azul.
Each relocation meant starting over: new schools, new neighborhoods, new routines. María Bernarda handled the logistics while keeping the family grounded. Her adaptability turned Mexico from a temporary stop into their permanent home, even as they maintained their Argentine identity.
María Bernarda Giménez as a Mother
Raising three children in a football household demands a special kind of patience. Santiago, Agustina (born 2005), and Sofia (born 2012) grew up with different needs and timelines, all while their father’s career kept the family in the public eye.
Supporting Santiago Giménez’s Football Journey
Santiago’s path from Cruz Azul’s youth academy to AC Milan didn’t happen by accident. María Bernarda provided the emotional foundation that allowed him to take risks and push boundaries. She attended matches, offered guidance during setbacks, and celebrated victories without letting success go to his head.
When Santiago scored on his Champions League debut at Feyenoord, his first words were about his parents. “I’m here in front of the camera, but my parents are the ones who sacrificed everything,” he said. That gratitude reflects the environment María Bernarda created—one where hard work and humility matter more than headlines.
Her influence shows in how Santiago carries himself. Despite his €35 million transfer to Milan in February 2025, he’s remained grounded. That character comes from home.
Raising Agustina and Sofia
While Santiago’s career draws attention, María Bernarda has protected her daughters’ privacy. Agustina and Sofia live away from the constant scrutiny their brother faces. She’s balanced supporting Santiago’s public career while giving his sisters space to develop their own identities.
This protection extends to social media and public appearances. Unlike many football families who embrace celebrity culture, María Bernarda has kept her daughters out of the spotlight—a conscious choice that speaks to her priorities.
The Zolotarchuk Legacy and Ukrainian Roots
Her father José Zolotarchuk passed away in 2023, a loss that deeply affected the family. When Mother’s Day arrived in May 2025, Santiago honored both his mother’s heritage and his grandfather’s memory by wearing “Zolotarchuk” on his Milan jersey.
The gesture went viral. Football fans worldwide learned about María Bernarda’s Ukrainian ancestry, a detail that added depth to Santiago’s already interesting background. He’s Mexican by nationality, Argentine by heritage, and Ukrainian by blood—a blend that makes him unique in European football.
The Zolotarchuk name connects María Bernarda to generations of Ukrainian immigrants in Argentina. Her father’s death reminded everyone that behind athletic achievements are real families dealing with real loss.
Life as a Football Wife
Being married to a professional footballer means accepting uncertainty. Contracts end, transfers happen, injuries derail plans. María Bernarda has managed these realities for over two decades.
She’s handled career highs—Christian’s success at Cruz Azul, his selection for Mexico’s national team—and the inevitable lows that come with professional sports. When Christian transitioned from playing to coaching, she supported that shift too.
The public sees match days and trophy celebrations. María Bernarda sees the daily grind: recovery sessions, tactical meetings, pressure to perform. She’s created normalcy in an inherently unstable profession.
Personal Interests and Identity Beyond Football
María Bernarda maintains interests outside her family’s football careers. She paints—a hobby that gives her creative expression separate from the sports world that defines much of her life.
These personal pursuits matter. It’s easy for football wives to lose individual identity in their partners’ careers. María Bernarda has kept parts of herself that aren’t defined by Christian’s coaching or Santiago’s goals.
Information about her personal life stays limited because that’s how she wants it. She’s chosen privacy over publicity, substance over social media presence.
María Bernarda Giménez and Santiago’s Success at AC Milan
Santiago’s transfer to Milan represents the peak of what María Bernarda and Christian built. The €35 million deal made him one of Mexico’s most valuable players. He wears number 7 at San Siro—a jersey number reserved for special talents.
She’s watched him adapt to Serie A, score crucial goals, and earn respect from Italian media. His success validates years of sacrifice, but María Bernarda knows the work isn’t finished. Football careers are fragile, and staying humble matters more than celebrating.
Santiago’s continued tributes to his parents show he hasn’t forgotten where he came from. That perspective—recognizing who helped him succeed—comes from the values María Bernarda instilled.
Maintaining Privacy in the Public Eye
Unlike many football families who leverage social media for brand deals and sponsorships, María Bernarda keeps a minimal online presence. She doesn’t need validation from strangers or income from influencer partnerships.
This approach protects her family while allowing Santiago to build his own public image. She’s present at important matches but doesn’t seek camera time. Her low profile stands out in an era where football families often become brands themselves.
The choice reflects confidence—she doesn’t need public recognition to know her value. Her impact shows in Santiago’s character, her daughters’ privacy, and her family’s stability.
The Giménez Family Today
The family now spans two continents. While Santiago plays in Milan, the rest of the family maintains their life in Mexico. They’ve built financial security—estimates put their combined worth around $44 million—but wealth hasn’t changed their approach to family.
María Bernarda still provides the emotional center. She’s the person Santiago calls after matches, the one who keeps him connected to his roots while he chases European glory. Christian’s coaching career and their daughters’ pursuits round out a family that’s found success without losing itself.
Their binational identity—Argentine hearts, Mexican home, European ambitions—reflects María Bernarda’s adaptability. She’s turned three cultures into one cohesive family story.
The woman behind Santiago Giménez’s rise isn’t chasing headlines. She’s too busy being the foundation that allows her family to thrive. That’s her real achievement—not fame, but the quiet strength that makes everything else possible.
