Sometimes people come into our lives and only stay for a brief time. And while the time may be short and seemingly insignificant, the impact they have on us lasts a lifetime.
For superstar footballer, Cristiano Ronaldo, that person was Edna.
While a recent explosive interview with Piers Morgan has set the soccer world on fire and led to Ronaldo parting ways with Manchester United, it was an earlier interview that revealed how humble Ronaldo really is and that he has never forgotten his roots.
Cristiano Ronaldo Comes From Humble Beginnings
He may be one of the world's greatest athletes with a staggering net worth of $500 million, but it hasn't always been that way.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner grew up poor. The youngest of 4 children, he lived in a small house in Madeira, Portugal, and shared a room with all of his siblings.
His mother was a cook while his father was a gardener, part-time equipment manager, and a raging alcoholic.
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Times were difficult and food was scarce. The family struggled to survive, with his mom admitting in the documentary film, Ronaldo, that she considered aborting him due to poverty, his father's alcoholism, and having too many children already. Her doctor refused.
He opened up about his childhood during an interview with Piers Morgan in 2019. During the interview, he shared one particularly poignant story about begging for food.
Ronaldo & His Teammates Would Often Beg for Food at the Local McDonald’s
When Ronaldo was about 12 years old, he left home to join Sporting Lisbon's youth academy. He told Morgan that it was a 'very hard period' in his life.
Ronaldo and his teammates would often go to the back door of the local McDonald's begging for the castoff burgers at the end of the night. A woman named Edna and two other employees always obliged.
"Late at night, like 10:30, 11, we are a little bit hungry. So we had a McDonald's next to the stadium where we lived and we'd always go to the back door and knock on the door, 'Hey, any burgers left?'"
He continued, "And Edna and two more girls, which...they are unbelievable. I never found the girls again."
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It wasn't for a lack of trying. He asked people in Portugal but by that time the Mcdonald's had already been closed. No one knew what happened to Edna or her two co-workers.
He hoped that by sharing his story and getting the word out, someone would be able to help him reconnect with them. "It would make me so happy," he said.
"I want to invite them to Turin or Lisbon to come to my house, to have dinner with me and I want to find these girls to be honest. I want to give something back because that period was a period that I appreciate so much."
He never forgot that moment. "You can't imagine how much it meant, to have burgers in the night."
Edna, the Mystery McDonald’s Woman, Is Found
Turns out, his public plea worked. Just days later, Edna was found.
Initially, a woman claiming to be one of the employees came forward, however, Morgan refuted her claims.
Soon afterward, Edna Carina Emanuel Caldas stepped up.
She was excited when she heard that Ronaldo remembered her and had no idea of the impact her actions had on him.
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Edna told the Portuguese Sports Daily Record: "I'm happy and it just shows how humble he is. I'm no one really for him to remember me like that. That was something that all happened such a long time ago. I'm really happy at what he's gone on to become. I never thought he would remember me so many years on."
She went on to say, "It shows how wonderful he is that he hasn't forgotten small things like this from his past."
There is no word on whether or not she and Ronaldo have yet had a chance to meet.
Sometimes It’s the Smallest Things That Make the Greatest Impact
Oftentimes we have no idea the impact our actions can make on someone's day or even someone's life. Even the smallest act of kindness can mean so much to a person. Something as simple as a smile, or giving away a free burger, can carry a significance we can't even imagine.
Ronaldo never forgot the kindness of Edna and the other two unnamed girls. At a time in his life when he needed it, they were there, burgers in hand. While it may not have seemed like a big deal to them, it really meant the world to a hungry little boy.
It meant so much, in fact, that years later, with millions in his bank account and the soccer world chanting his name, he still remembered it as a defining moment in his life.
That is the power of kindness and compassion.
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Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.