Yolanthe Sneijder Cabau

Early life

Sneijder-Cabau was born on the Spanish island of Ibiza. Her father, Xavier Cabau (1954–2007), was Spanish, while her mother, Richarda "Rici" van Kasbergen, is Dutch. Xavier Cabau was a wealthy entrepreneur known as the "King of Ibiza", who owned several discothèques, restaurants, and bars. Sneijder-Cabau's childhood in Spain was marked by domestic violence, after her father experienced financial problems and became addicted to drugs. When she was five years old, her mother moved with her children to her native Netherlands. She has seven siblings, as well as five half-siblings from her father's second marriage. After graduating from high school at the age of 17, Sneijder-Cabau decided to pursue an acting career.

Career

Sneijder-Cabau appeared in the Dutch productions Snowfever (2004) and Costa! (2005). From 2005 to 2008, she had a recurring role in the soap opera Onderweg naar morgen. In 2006, Sneijder-Cabau starred in the short film Turkse chick, which was nominated for a Gouden Kalf, the Dutch equivalent of an Academy Award. A real-life WAG, she appeared in the third season of the dramedy Voetbalvrouwen, similar to the British series Footballers' Wives. In 2006, 2007, and 2009, Sneijder-Cabau was voted the "Sexiest Dutch Woman" by the Dutch FHM.

Personal life

Sneijder-Cabau began a relationship with football player Wesley Sneijder in 2009. They were married on 17 July 2010 in Tuscany, Italy, six days after Sneijder played the final of the FIFA World Cup. Following her marriage, she changed her surname from Cabau van Kasbergen to Sneijder-Cabau, which she also uses professionally.

Sneijder-Cabau is a co-founder and ambassador of Stop Kindermisbruik, a foundation which aims to put an end to child sexual abuse in developing countries. Stop Kindermisbruik engages in actions such as freeing child prostitutes, preventing children from becoming child prostitutes, and helping freed children cope with the trauma they endured.