Behind the brilliant career and public image of renowned journalist Fernando Onega lies a deeply personal story of survival and family loyalty. It recently came to light that, in 2021, the patriarch of Spanish journalism underwent a complex kidney transplant operation. His life was saved by his second wife, Ángela Rodrigo, whose selfless act highlighted the remarkable strength of their bond. Onega himself, the author of several landmark books on modern Spanish history, openly admits that his critical health condition was the result of a harmful habit: he acknowledged that his arteries had been destroyed by years of heavy smoking.
The relationship between Fernando and Ángela Rodrigo began in 2000, and the couple recently celebrated their silver wedding anniversary. Their only son, 23-year-old Fernando Jr., was born in this marriage. He chose a completely different path from journalism and successfully graduated from the Autonomous University of Madrid with a degree in Computer Engineering. His professional interests lie in artificial intelligence and software development. On social media, he is known by the nickname Onegafer, and he leads a life entirely different from the public profiles of his father and half-sister.
Despite the complexities of their personal story, the Onega family demonstrates remarkable unity. Fernando was previously married to Marisol Salcedo, the mother of his older daughters—Cristina and the famous television host Sonsoles Ónega. Sonsoles, who recently received the prestigious Planeta literary award for her novel ‘Las hijas de la criada,’ maintains a warm relationship with her stepbrother and stepmother. All three children attended the ceremony where their father was inducted as an honorary academician of the Royal European Academy of Doctors (RAED), a vivid testament to their family bond.
Throughout his career, Fernando Ónega—who held leadership positions at publications such as Arriba and Ya, as well as at Cadena Ser radio—made every effort to shield his family from excessive media attention. This was especially true for his wife Ángela, who has always stayed out of the limelight, preferring a private life. Her support and self-sacrifice during difficult times became the foundation on which the well-being of one of Spain’s most prominent media dynasties rests.
