Love sometimes sneaks in through the most unexpected cracks and, in the case of José Luis Martínez-Almeida y Teresa Urquijoarrived when they least expected it, but with the force of the inevitable. He, mayor of Madrid, accustomed to dealing with the complexity of governing a city that never sleeps, and she, Teresa Urquijo, a 28-year-old young woman from a lineage steeped in history, found in their difference in ages, worlds and rhythms , the perfect complementarity.
The good news that they are expecting their first child is for now the last chapter of a story that began with a spark and that has been illuminated by complicity, anecdotes and moments that, according to Almeida himself, he never thought he would live. “Soon there will be three of us,” the almost fifty-year-old mayor announced on his Instagram account, as we have gathered, accompanying his words with a photo of him and Teresa, with the smile of someone who seems to already have everything.
The beginning of everything: the unexpected spark
The first meeting between Almeida and Teresa took place at a dinner organized by mutual friends, where the chances of a free-spirited young woman like her and a politician seasoned in a thousand bureaucratic battles connecting were minimal. However, they did it. In the words of the mayor himself, “Teresa appeared as a haven of calm in a life that, until then, had been pure storm.“.
It was not a lightning-fast love, but one of those that simmers over low heat. The first dates took place between discreet walks through the neighborhoods of Chamberí and Salamanca, where no one seemed to recognize the mayor without his characteristic suit and tie. For Teresa, José Luis was not the politician who appeared on television debates, but a simple man who made her laugh and whose tenderness, according to her, was his most disarming quality.
Teresa Urquijo’s family history has the weight and brilliance of the history of Spain. Granddaughter of Íñigo Moreno de Arteaga, Marquis of Laserna, and Teresa de Borbón-Dos Sicilias, cousin of King Juan Carlos, Teresa has not been alien to the protocols and ceremonies of her lineage. However, he never allowed that world to determine his way of being. “Teresa has her feet on the ground, she is a practical woman and, above all, free. That made me fall in love with her“, Almeida confessed to us.
This mix of tradition and modernity was what, in part, made it easier for their relationship to be accepted and celebrated both in Almeida’s political circle and in Teresa’s aristocratic environment. Their relationship, however, was never a parade of tinsel; rather, it was a sum of small everyday gestures.
The wedding of the year
On April 6, 2024, José Luis Martínez-Almeida and Teresa Urquijo joined their lives in a ceremony that will remain engraved in collective memory as “the wedding of the year“. The Jesuit church in Serrano was filled with personalities from the political, aristocratic and social world, with the notable presence of the infantas Elena and Cristina, as well as King Juan Carlos. The subsequent celebration at the El Canto de la Cruz estate , owned by Teresa’s grandparents, was a true tribute to Spanish tradition, with an improvised chotis between the newlyweds that went viral on social networks.
However, what caught the attention of the attendees most was the naturalness and happiness that both radiated. Almeida, who had joked on numerous occasions about his singleness and his “bad luck in love“He seemed to have found his safe harbor in Teresa.”She is my refuge, my calm in a world that is sometimes too noisy.“, he confessed excitedly during his speech.
Life after “I do”
The age difference between José Luis and Teresa, 21 years old, has never been an obstacle for them. On the contrary, it became an advantage. While he brought the experience and serenity of someone who has faced multiple challenges, she injected freshness and enthusiasm into his life. “When I see Teresa, I feel like I can do anything. She is my pillar, my ally“said the mayor in an interview shortly after the wedding.
Both have managed to find the perfect balance between their busy schedules. During the summer of 2024, they took the opportunity to disconnect with a trip to the north of Spain, away from the hustle and bustle of Madrid. On their social networks, they shared images of green landscapes and coastal towns, making it clear that, despite their commitments, the time they spent together was always quality.
The baby announcement: a new stage
The desire to be parents had been present in the conversations from the beginning. In several interviews, Almeida had joked about the possibility of becoming “father-grandfather“due to his age, but always making it clear that he was willing to take on that challenge with enthusiasm.”I know I’m going to miss a lot of things, but I’m going to enjoy everything that comes to the fullest. I hope I reach the age of 94 and can see everything, even with a cane.“, he commented with his characteristic humor.
The pregnancy announcement comes in the simplest and most authentic way: a post on Instagram with the text “Soon we will be three“. In a matter of minutes, social networks have been filled with congratulations from anonymous citizens, party colleagues and public figures from different fields.
Anecdotes that make history
The relationship between Almeida and Teresa has not only been marked by solemn moments, but also by anecdotes that reveal the human and fun character of the couple. One of the most memorable occurred during an official event at City Hall, where Teresa, sitting in the front row, burst into laughter when Almeida, in a slip of the tongue, confused the name of a guest. “What can I say? My wife keeps me humble“the mayor joked to the applause of the public.
Another notable anecdote was the time Almeida, in an attempt to surprise Teresa, decided to cook a special dinner. As he later confessed, the result was a culinary disaster, but she, with her usual sense of humor, ordered takeout and consoled him by saying: “For that we already have the restaurants in Madrid“.
A future full of promises
With the arrival of their first child, the love story between José Luis Martínez-Almeida and Teresa Urquijo enters a new stage. He, who for years had dedicated his life completely to politics, is now preparing for the most important challenge: fatherhood.
“This baby is not only a gift for us, but also for our family and for everyone who has supported us on this path.“says Almeida. Although it is too early to know the details about the little one’s future, one thing is clear: he will grow up surrounded by love, laughter and a deep sense of tradition.
The story of José Luis and Teresa shows that, despite the differences, the media noise and the demands of public life, love can be a refuge, an engine and a compass. From that first spark to the baby they are now looking forward to, their relationship is a reminder that sometimes the best things in life come when you least expect it.
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