Irene Villa’s story is one of strength, courage and hope. From her life radically changing at the age of 12 due to an ETA attack, to her present as a writer, speaker and mother, she has shown that it is possible to transform pain into an opportunity to inspire others.
Irene Villa and the ETA attack
On October 17, 1991, Irene Villa was a 12-year-old girl who attended school with her mother, María Jesús González, in the Aluche neighborhood (Madrid). That morning, both suffered an attack by the terrorist group ETA. A bomb placed in the car they were traveling in exploded, marking a before and after in their lives..
Irene was traveling in the passenger seat when, a few minutes before the explosion, she expressed a worrying suspicion: “What if they had planted a bomb on us?”. After the explosion, he lost both legs and three fingers on one hand. His mother, a civil servant at the General Directorate of Police, also suffered serious amputations, losing a leg and an arm.
The recovery of Irene and María Jesús It was a long process full of physical and emotional challenges. The reunion between mother and daughter after the attack was particularly moving and took place through the television program “De tú a tú”, presented by Nieves Herrero. Despite the tragedy, both decided to face their new reality with courage and without resentment towards those who tried to end their lives.
Years later, Irene will explain the importance of forgiveness in order to move forward: “Forgiving does not mean forgetting, it means freeing yourself from the weight of resentment.. Resentment is a burden that stops you from moving forward. His message, full of humanity, has become an example for many people.
How old is Irene Villa?
Irène Villa was born on November 21, 1978 in Madrid. At 46, he has built a life full of meaning and commitment to others. After the attack, he devoted himself to his education and personal training, obtaining a degree in audiovisual communications from the European University of Madrid. Later he studied Psychology and human sciencesanother example of his interest in understanding and helping others.
Her life experience led her to become a speaker. From 1996 He offers motivational conferences in which he transmits messages of hope. His ability to connect with audiences, combining deep thoughts and an admirable sense of humorhas captivated audiences around the world.
In the literary field, he expressed his vision of life and his learning in several works. The first, “Know You Can” (2004)marks the beginning of his career as an author. This title was followed by others like ‘It’s never too late, princess’, “The Book of Cuddles”“Like the sun for flowers” and “The eight thousandths of life”.
In 2004, she also distinguished herself by her work as a volunteer psychologist at the IFEMA exhibition center after the 11M attacks in Madrid. Her commitment to helping others has been a constant in her life, demonstrating that difficult experiences can become a source of strength to support others.
Who is Irene Villa’s husband?
Last September, she married David Serrato in an intimate ceremony held at the Monastery of Santa María de la Vid, a place steeped in centuries of history. The wedding, attended by 150 guests, was a very special event. Although it was not a religious wedding, the couple received the blessing of Father Ángel, known for his charitable work.
David Serratgraduated in physical education from the University of León, shares with Irene a positive and resilient approach to challenges. In addition to his work as deputy director of the High Performance Center (CAEP) in Soria, he is a coach and speaker, having also overcome personal challenges such as cancer.
The couple found in their respective stories of improvement a reason to build a project of a life together full of hope.
Where does Irène Villa currently live?
Irene Villa resides in Madrid with her children, while her husband, David Serratlives in Soria due to his professional responsibilities. Even though this distance can be an obstacle, both manage their lives with the same positive approach that characterizes their relationship.
David combines his work at CAEP with his coaching activitieswhile Irene continues her work as a speaker and writer, bringing her message of hope and improvement to the four corners of Spain.
