Almudena Cid, renowned Spanish gymnast and actress, recently graced the set of the popular quiz show 'Pasapalabra', reigniting public interest as she reflected on her past relationship with Christian Gálvez and her current romance with ex-footballer Gerardo Berodia.
Almudena, born on June 15, 1980, has been part of the international gymnastics scene since the age of seven, achieving remarkable feats throughout her career. She represented Spain at four consecutive Olympic Games, capturing the attention of sports fans and establishing herself as one of the country's most prominent figures. It is here on 'Pasapalabra', back when Cid was appearing on the show, where she first met Gálvez, throwing her heart to him amid the interactive challenges and warm lights of Spanish television.
The couple shared over ten years of companionship, culminating in their marriage on August 7, 2010. The nuptials took place at a picturesque venue in Torrelodones, surrounded by friends and family, marking the beginning of what many hoped would be a long-lasting union. Nevertheless, their love story took a turn for the unexpected when news of their separation emerged in December 2021, catching many—including Almudena—by surprise.
Almudena, who had poured herself deeply not just as Gálvez's partner but as his confidante, described the experience of their breakup as traumatic. She shared her heartache candidly during interviews, noting the surprising emotional turmoil it brought. "Fui a concursar y me empezó a decir cosas como muy bonitas. Cuando cortamos me pidió que levantara la pierna y al siguiente día otra vez lo de la pierna," Almudena recounted humorously but with depth, signifying how tied their relationship was to their interplay on the show.
It was during her struggles following the split when Almudena realized the weight of her emotional experiences. "Sentí que estaba haciendo un esfuerzo para el que no creí estar preparada. Pero me he dado cuenta de que sí podía. Hay una frase en el texto que de repente cambió para mí: ‘Se acabó el amor’,” she said, emphasizing the moment she recognized the challenges of redefining her life beyond her marriage.
Following the end of her relationship with Gálvez, it became public knowledge of his new relationship with journalist Patricia Pardo, which generated waves across media outlets. While Almudena expressed her feelings of bewilderment and sorrow at the dissolution of their marriage, she has navigated this transition with resilience.
Fortuitously, Almudena has also found love again with Gerardo Berodia, with whom she appeared publicly starting from 2022. Gerardo, who has his own past—including being separated and having children—has been described as supportive and instrumental to Almudena’s healing process. Their relationship reflects the evolution Almudena has gone through, finding joy and contentment after much hardship. "Era curioso porque pensaba que el aplauso, no era que no me lo mereciera. No estaba para que me aplaudieran, estaba tan abatida que no," she related her state during her grieving, highlighting her path to recovery.
Almudena's private life might be scribbled with controversy and heartache, yet her public persona remains vibrant and ambitious. Throughout her career post-retirement, she has been versatile, transitioning from athlete to actress and writer. Her endeavors include television appearances, such as 'Un paso adelante' and publishing children's books inspired by gymnastics, aiming to motivate future generations.
Her unique contribution to gymnastics, the celebrated 'Cid Tostado' move, exemplifies her innovative spirit, solidifying her legacy as more than just a former competitor.
Almudena's life reveals the intertwining of professional prestige and personal trials. Nevertheless, her current happiness with Gerardo emphasizes growth and the essence of finding love again after loss. "Ahora estoy mejor, he tenido un mal concepto del amor. Creía que con el esfuerzo de dar y dar llegabas al resultado. Y el amor es otro estadio, necesito conocerme y darme a mí,” she sums up her learning curve, bringing her narrative full circle as she embarks on this new chapter of her life.