Princess Mafalda of Bulgaria opens up about her divorce: ‘You lose your sense of direction’

Mafalda of Bulgaria, 30, and Marc Abouleisman ended their relationship last November, closing the chapter on a romance that began in 2014. Their divorce, finalized two and a half years after their wedding—attended by Infantas Elena and Cristina of Spain and Princess Mette-Marit of Norway—was amicable.

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Daughter of Kyril of Bulgaria and Rosario Nadal, Mafalda has long maintained a low profile when it comes to her private life. But in a recent interview with El País, she spoke candidly for the first time about the emotional toll of the separation. “I wouldn’t wish it on anyone, especially not someone as young as I am,” she said. “It’s a huge shift and a deep pain. I spent a year and a half reflecting on what I truly want. My emotions were scattered, causing me to lose my sense of direction.

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In the midst of that turmoil, music became her safe haven. At 16, Mafalda started performing, gaining experience in London bars before enrolling in Boston's Berklee College of Music. Under the name Ona Mafalda, she writes, sings, and produces her own material—and even opened for Coldplay.

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Her experiences have shaped her upcoming musical project, which includes a cover of Yo no soy esa, the classic by Mari Trini. “I’m a new Mafalda,” she said. “A bolder woman, unafraid to take risks.”

She’s also found strength in her family. Her father, Kyril, recently flew in from London to spend time with her in Madrid. The two were photographed visiting a real estate agency, walking the city streets, and dining together—images featured exclusively in ¡HOLA!.

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Mafalda, who retains the title of Princess, has also found new love. She’s now dating Miguel Ángel Martín Maoño, an artistic director and graphic designer based in Madrid. ¡HOLA! published photos of the couple during a recent outing. Miguel studied design and multimedia publishing at IES Islas Filipinas and later attended The Atomic Garden, a communications and advertising school. His portfolio includes work for notable clients such as Allnighters and Mad Cool Festival.