Barbara De Santi, a well-known figure from the Italian dating show Uomini e Donne, has officially left the program alongside her new partner, Ruggiero. This marks the end of her long-standing presence on the show, which she has been part of for several seasons now.
The announcement came during the recording session of February 24, 2025, as revealed by Lorenzo Pugnaloni through his social media. While many fans have known her for her prominent role on the show, Barbara has finally found love with Ruggiero, who is not new to the Uomini e Donne scene.
Ruggiero, 56, hails from Taranto and has previously participated in the show, trying to find love without success. This time, his connection with Barbara led to their decision to leave the show together to cultivate their relationship beyond the audience's gaze.
According to reports from TVBlog, Ruggiero, who has worked as a chef and has three daughters, spoke openly about their relationship during the studio recording. He mentioned they had intimate moments, which raised some eyebrows and led to initial friction between the couple. Barbara expressed disappointment over Ruggiero’s choice to discuss their private moments publicly, insisting there were more significant aspects to their relationship worth mentioning.
Despite these initial tensions, Gianni Sperti helped facilitate their reconciliation during the show. Following their brief argument, the couple appeared to be on the same page again, leading to what resembled the concluding choice ceremonies typical of the classic version of Uomini e Donne, complete with flower petals.
After resolving their issues, Barbara and Ruggiero decided to leave the show together, marking the beginning of their romantic relationship outside the show’s constraining environment. Barbara’s departure signifies not only the loss of her character from the show but also highlights the unpredictable nature of relationships formed within the show’s framework.
This isn't Barbara's first foray beyond the dating platform for love; she previously exited the show for her relationship with Davide Maggio. Their story, unfortunately, didn’t last outside the spotlight, but Barbara's connection with Ruggiero appears to have been more promising right from the start, capturing her heart almost immediately.
Fans of Uomini e Donne are left contemplating the new dynamic of the dating show without one of its most enduring participants. Barbara’s legacy may continue to resonate as viewers watch to see how Ruggiero develops alongside her outside of the show.
With the exit of such significant personalities, the future of the program remains to be seen. Barbara De Santi's relationship with Ruggiero has already left its mark, and as they venture forward, it offers insights and stories about love nurtured within the famous dating show confines.