Rute Cardoso is a Portuguese public figure who is famous mostly due to her long-term relationship with the late Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota. Their story of love began many years ago when they were children and were best friends.
Rute has since become a devoted wife and mother of three who stood by her husband through all the phases of his elite football career. Her poise and strength recently put her in the limelight, first with their June 2025 wedding in Porto and, later, after the tragic death of Diogo in early July.
Rute Cardoso Biography | |
|---|---|
| Real Name: | Rute Cardoso Jota |
| Birth Date: | 1996 |
| Age (Approx.): | 29 Years |
| Birth Place: | Porto, Portugal |
| Height: | – |
| Husband | Diogo Jota |
Early Life
Rute Cardoso was born in 1996 and brought up in Porto, Portugal, in a family atmosphere of devotion, instruction, and a tight-knit society. At the age of 13, she met Diogo Jota in the same school. Their friendship slowly developed into a silent, long-term romance as they both grew during their teen years.
As Diogo continued his football career path at Gondomar, Paços de Ferreira, and FC Porto, Rute has been a constant supporter in his life. Most young couples grow apart, but Rute and Diogo remained together despite changes and seasons.
The silent power and flexibility she possessed played a crucial role as they traveled between nations, juggling between living in Portugal and England. Although she was not in the limelight, Rute was a vital part of Diogo since the start of his journey, both in life and career.
Rute Cardoso Career
Although Rute Cardoso never had a conventional career in the public eye, her life was closely related to the world of professional football, which is very demanding. Being the long-term girlfriend and eventually a wife of Diogo Jota, she was the emotional and domestic part of their mutual ride together, supporting her husband through all club transfers, injuries, and achievements.
Behind the scenes, Rute Cardoso was critical in the rise of Diogo, who moved on to Atlético Madrid, Wolverhampton, and Liverpool after Paços de Ferreira. She also embraced new places and ways of life and made them stable in times when the pressure was extreme.
Rute Cardoso welcomed motherhood at home, taking care of their sons Dinis and Duarte, and their daughter, born late in 2024, and kept a placid, discreet profile. She gained greater visibility when she appeared on special occasions, including when Diogo proposed at a lakeside in 2022 and when they got married on June 22, 2025, in Porto.
Rute was not a professionally active public figure, but her dedication, flexibility, and silent power were part of their life. She worked as a wife, a mother, and a source of emotional support, which allowed Diogo to become a phenomenal football player.
Personal Life
The love life of Diogo Jota was tightly intertwined with that of Rute Cardoso. They have been together for over 10 years, and in July 2022, they got engaged in a lakeside proposal. On June 22, 2025, the couple got married in a close family setting in Porto. Their Instagram updates made the day seem like a lifelong dream: “A day we will never forget” and “Yes to forever.”
These were happily wedded spouses who were unfortunately involved in a tragic road accident in Spain that claimed the lives of Diogo and his brother Andre on July 3, 2025, only ten days after the wedding. At the age of 28, Rute Cardoso is widowed but is still a mother of three young children and an example of lifelong love and strength.
Social Media
Under the Instagram account @rutecfcardoso14, Rute gathered more than 147k followers. Her Instagram feed captures her family experiences, game days where she supports her boy, wedding celebrations, and intimate scenes with Diogo. She often posted photos at stadiums—in Liverpool or Portugal soccer jerseys—incorporating sweet images of cooperation.
Ten days before the tragedy, she shared a tearful wedding reel with the caption Yes to forever, which received hundreds of thousands of views and likes. Rute was broadcasting warmth and loyalty, and normalcy through her posts, providing a glimpse into her personal life that was full of love and authenticity.
Rute Cardoso Net Worth
The net worth of Rute Cardoso has not been made public. Being the wife of a professional football player, her life was sustained by transfers and family planning. She had a rather low profile with no known personal endorsements.