Life and courage lesson from Fabiola Martínez to an alleged Spanish knight named Bertín Orborne

In the vast canvas of life, there are moments that, like indelible brushstrokes, mark the soul of those who live them. Eighteen years ago, Fabiola Martínez, a woman of Venezuelan origin, brought her first child into the world with the well-known presenter and singer Bertín Osborne. That moment, full of hope and fear, became a milestone that transformed their lives forever. During pregnancy, Fabiola faced a tough test: a listeriosis infection that affected her unborn child. The doctors detected that all his organs were compromised, and the shadow of uncertainty hung over them. The due date was approaching, and with it, the constant fear of possible loss.

In the midst of that emotional storm, Bertín stood as a pillar of serenity, providing unconditional support to his wife. While Fabiola was distressed, he whispered words of calm to her: “Don’t worry, nothing’s wrong.” The birth of their son, Kike, brought with it challenges that few can imagine. The cerebral palsy with which he was diagnosed required constant care and absolute dedication. Fabiola, with admirable strength, assumed the role of primary caregiver, facing each day with a mixture of love and concern. She watched Kike sitting in his chair, aware that, without her help, he would not be able to move, drink water, or carry out the most basic activities. This total dependence generated deep anguish in her: “What’s going to happen when we’re gone?” he frequently asked himself. As time has passed, Fabiola has openly shared her experiences and emotions. In interviews like the one she gave this Friday on Telecinco, she has confessed to feeling nervous when speaking in public, especially when it comes to such personal topics.

In the warm chiaroscuro of a television set, where secrets slide like echoes under the bright lights, Fabiola Martínez appeared with that composure that women who have already gone through too many emotional winters have. It carried the weight of a feigned calm, of that serenity that one strives to project when, inside, the soul has not finished settling. It had been a long time since she had been seen on that stage. She sat up straight, and with a sigh she let it be known that her nerves were not because of the occasion, but because of what she carried in her memory. It was her return to television (because current affairs pushed her to break her silence). As soon as he settled into the chair, the first topic came to light. Because, although the past no longer belongs to him, the present is still linked to his name. Her ex-husband, Bertín Osborne, had left a new chapter in her personal history, one that Fabiola contemplated from the distance of someone who no longer wants to or can influence her.

Gabriela Guillén, a 37-year-old woman, had announced the birth of her son. The baby, whose existence was initially shrouded in doubts and rumors, had been recognized by the singer not without some controversy. And while the story unraveled in the tabloids, Fabiola, from the shelter of her discretion, had chosen to remain silent. Until now. “I have nothing to do with that,” He began saying, like someone shaking off a soaked coat in a storm. Her tone was neutral, almost administrative, a woman who has learned to filter out what is necessary and discard what is too heavy. “Since we separated, I have decided to stay completely out of everything that has to do with Bertín. It is his life, not mine.” The words resonated firmly, but there was no resentment in them, but rather a kind of polite resignation, that of someone who accepts that the story of a past love has no continuation, at least not in the script of his current life.

The presenters, as expected, tried to find the crack through which to peek into their privacy. But Fabiola, skillful, protected herself behind a wall of careful phrases. “The Bertín that I knew is not necessarily the same as he is now. People change. I know his gestures, his reactions from then, but I wouldn’t dare say how he thinks today. That belongs to him.” It was a fancy way of saying that he had no intention of stepping into territory he no longer considered his own. Throughout the conversation, the Venezuelan showed an innate mastery of diverting the spotlight towards what really mattered: her family, her daily life, and the way in which she has learned to live with the challenges that accompany it.

His sons, Kike and Carlos, 17 and 16 years old respectively, are the axis of everything he does. And although they have contact with their father, Fabiola made it clear that she does not exercise any type of control over that relationship. “My children are free to talk to him whatever they want. What they share with their father is not my place to interfere or judge. I respect that part of his life.” His words, loaded with an almost painful maturity, reflected the balance that only someone who has gone through emotional storms can achieve.

But not everything was contained silence. There were moments when Fabiola revealed her own concerns. For example, when it was talked about how Bertín’s new fatherhood could impact his children. “Carlos has never mentioned anything to me about this. Whether or not he talks to his father is up to him. At home we live our routines, regardless of what happens outside. If he sees it, he doesn’t tell me.” Theirs is a family that has learned to build its own microcosm, a bubble where the essential thing is to protect itself from the external maelstrom.

“What will happen when I’m gone?”

As the interview progressed, it became clear that the real issue was not Gabriela Guillén’s son or the legal disputes between her and Bertín. The real issue was Fabiola, that woman who has made stoicism her shield. There was in his speech a mixture of fragility and strength that only those who have walked through the edge of life and have come out on the other side possess, with scars, yes, but also with lessons. In one especially revealing moment, she talked about the changes that come with growing older as a mother to a child with special needs. “With Kike, every day is a learning experience. But there are also moments when I stop to think: what will happen when I’m gone? That question is always there, like an echo in the back of my mind.” It was impossible not to admire the honesty with which she approached these topics, even in an environment as prone to superficiality as a television set. Fabiola did not try to give answers. Rather, she presented herself as she was: a woman who does not consider herself a hero, but who faces each day with a fortitude that many would consider extraordinary. There are things I just can’t spend my energy on. And this,” she said, referring to her ex-husband’s controversy, “is one of those things.”

Fabiola Martínez is not just a satellite character of Bertín Osborne. She is a woman with her own story, a mother who has built a life around her children and who, despite the challenges, does not let external noise distract her from what is truly important. His time on the program was not a confession or an attempt to justify himself. It was, rather, a reminder that, although the lights of the show may be bright, there are those who know how to turn them off to turn back on the inner light that really matters. However, the need to make visible the reality of families with children with disabilities drives her to overcome her fears.

He has revealed moments of vulnerability, such as when, when remembering the first days of Kike’s life, he could not hold back his tears. The television set, presided over by the merciless slaps of children towards their mothers or vice versa, was filled with applause this Friday with Fabiola, and those present shared their emotion, recognizing the bravery of a mother who has lived with constant concern for well-being. of his son. Kike’s dependence has been a life lesson for Fabiola. She has learned about perseverance by observing her son’s efforts to perform simple tasks, like putting a spoon in your mouth. Every small achievement of Kike is a sign of his determination and a source of inspiration for the entire family. “Kike’s birth has been a before and after,” says Fabiola, acknowledging how her son has transformed their lives and taught them the true meaning of resilience. Kike’s arrival also motivated Fabiola and Bertín to create a foundation in their son’s name, with the aim of supporting other families in similar situations. This initiative seeks to provide resources and support to those who face the challenges of caring for people with disabilities, offering hope and community in times of difficulty. As Kike approaches adulthood, Fabiola reflects on the passage of time and the new stages that are to come. Concern for your child’s future is a constant, but so is pride in the progress you have made. The family prepares for the changes that this new stage will bring, with the certainty that, together, they will be able to face any challenge that may arise.