Families can be pretty complicated, but one Brazilian soccer star's complicated family is drawing a lot of attention.
Hulk, whose given name is Givanildo Vieira de Sousa, is known for his powerhouse moves on the field, but his life off the field is also far from boring. The soccer player rose to stardom over the years and was admired for being a fun-loving, hardworking player and a family man. Hulk was married to Iran Angelo for 12 years.
During those years, rumors plagued the marriage, but the couple put on a united front. They were believed to be living pretty separate lives by the point when they announced their split in 2019. No matter how separate things were at the end, people couldn't help but be astonished when Hulk began a relationship with Iran's niece, Camila Angelo.
Fast-forward two years, and Hulk and Camila have not only stayed together but gotten married. In September 2021, they announced that their first child was on the way. The relationship has been seen as incredibly controversial since the beginning, and the addition of a child, who will be both the sibling and cousin of Hulk's three children with Iran, hasn't changed matters.
Fans who are Team Iran have slammed Hulk for marrying Camila, claiming Hulk and Iran had a hand in raising Camila. Iran herself alluded to this in a since-deleted Instagram post about the relationship between her ex and her niece in September 2020, on Camila's birthday.
"Despite the confusion and madness that I was plunged into, I had to celebrate the birthday of my daughter Camila. Yes, she was like my own daughter, my fourth child, I had given her everything she wanted since she was a young girl and all I did was trust her," Iran wrote.
"I sacrificed my dreams for her (Camila) and now I wake up from my sleep at times and wonder why this has happened to me," Iran continued.
"And here I'm not just talking about material goods, because these are easy to give when you have money, but love, affection, attention, respect … everything. She knew my weaknesses, insecurities, pain, fears and had my unconditional love.
"The pain I feel is similar to a mother burying her own child."
Iran is now reacting to the news that the two are having a baby, which they recently revealed to be a little girl they plan to name Zaya. The parents-to-be are overjoyed, but their milestone marks more heartbreak for Iran.
Iran posted a photo of a clock that reads, "Only time has the skill to unmask appearances, reveal lies and show someone’s true character." She elaborated in the caption.
"Lies and disloyalties are like knives. They cut our flesh, make us bleed, dry up, die a little inside," she wrote.
Still, Iran tries to look ahead and focus on what she does have in her life.
"But for those that have God in their lives, this dying means rebirth," she noted.
"I am reborn with each disappointment and each lie that is unmasked because Jesus made me strong."
