In Spain, it’s rare for politicians’ children to speak out publicly, especially when they come from a family whose name has been synonymous with power for decades. However, Ana Aznar, the only daughter of the former Prime Minister and ex-mayor of Madrid, has unexpectedly broken her silence. In an interview timed to the release of her book on parenting, she spoke openly for the first time about what it was like growing up in a household where not only the parents, but the very atmosphere of power laid down the rules.
Trained as a psychologist, Ana has long distanced herself from Spanish realities—she now lives in Rome, after spending several years in London. Despite her prominent surname, she’s always preferred to stay out of the spotlight, avoiding public life and political debates. Her life revolves around her family, four children, and her work supporting parents. But it was her personal experience that led her to have this frank discussion about what it means to be a child in a family where discipline and control come first.
Family boundaries
In her book, Ana Aznar doesn’t just give parenting advice—she candidly shares her own experiences. She says that childhood in the Aznar-Botella home was filled with love, but also strict rules. “Many of us grew up in very authoritarian families, and now we’ve gone to the other extreme—trying to be friends with our children,” she notes. Ana is convinced: the truth lies somewhere in between, and parents need to maintain a balance between care and necessary boundaries.
She pays special attention to the topic of disappointment and teaching children to cope with rejection. According to Ana, if a child is never told “no,” they don’t learn how to overcome difficulties. “Children are not the center of the universe, even if they are the most important thing for us,” she emphasizes, urging parents not to be afraid of setting clear boundaries.
Personal experience
Ana Aznar’s revelations go beyond childhood memories. She admits that motherhood became a real test for her. As a young mother living in a foreign country, she often felt lonely and uncertain. “I became stronger, learned how to be alone,” she says, openly acknowledging that the journey to harmony was not easy.
Today, Ana runs her own company that helps parents connect with their children. Her approach combines personal experience with professional expertise. She is not afraid to say that being a parent is a constant search for balance, and that mistakes are inevitable even in the most ideal families.
Life outside politics
Despite their prominent surnames, Ana and her husband, entrepreneur Alejandro Agag, prefer a quiet life away from the spotlight. Their home in Rome has become a true family sanctuary, filled with comfort and trust. Ana notes that Italian culture is especially welcoming to children—they are always greeted warmly, and parents can feel more at ease.
The family often travels, balancing work with raising their children. They have a home in Madrid where they return to reunite with relatives and friends. Despite her busy schedule, Ana strives to dedicate as much time as possible to her children, believing that personal example is the best way to educate them.
A Look at Her Parents
In her interview, Ana Aznar also touched on her relationship with her own parents. She admits that she truly understood them only after becoming a mother herself. “You can’t really understand parents until you’ve been in their shoes,” she says, adding that she is grateful for the love and clear boundaries she was given in childhood.
However, Ana does not hide that excessive strictness can lead to alienation. She urges modern parents to find a balance, not turning parenting into a power struggle, but also not dissolving into the role of a friend to the child. Her words are especially relevant today, as many families lose their bearings in search of the perfect approach.
RUSSPAIN reminds that Ana Aznar is not only the daughter of well-known politicians, but also a recognized expert in child psychology and family counseling. She founded REC Parenting, a company that helps parents around the world find effective solutions in raising children. Her books and public talks are popular among Spanish and European families, and her personal experience makes her advice especially valuable for a broad audience.
