Matteo Salvini Opens Up About Family Life and Desire for Another Child

"I'm ready for another child. For night awakenings, baby food, and diapers. I would like that," says Matteo Salvini to the weekly magazine Chi. Salvini, engaged to Francesca Verdini, already has two children, Federico, 21, and Mirta, 11, from previous relationships. "I am not like a mom, obviously, but I am an active dad, I try to do my part," he explains. "Of course, at 51 years old, I wear glasses, have back pain, and can't lift heavy weights for long, but we are ready, maybe for a little boy." With the mothers of his children, Salvini has "good relationships," he explains, "I would basically be faithful. But I admit that I have cheated and have been cheated on." Between Salvini and Francesca, the daughter of Denis Verdini, there is a 20-year age difference, he being 51 and she 31. "I never thought I would have a much younger partner. I have asked myself several times how I would react if my daughter Mirta, when she turns 20, shows up with a 40-year-old divorced man with two children... Well, I would absolutely say nothing. I cannot afford any judgment. My children are free to choose whoever they want." Salvini and Verdini have been a steady couple for five years: so far no children but they have a poodle, Caterina. "After a week of dating, Francesca moved in with me," shares the minister. The best gift? "The party for my 50th birthday. Bringing together family and politics is complicated, that's why I'm glad my parents saw lifelong friends together with Giorgia Meloni and Silvio Berlusconi. It will be an indelible memory also because Silvio passed away shortly after."