Hace cinco años dejó Mar del Plata, la ciudad en la que nació, para instalarse en Buenos Aires. Abogada y periodista, María Belén Ludueña (35) trabaja en televisión desde los 19 y fue en un set donde conoció a Jorge Macri (56) –intendente del partido de Vicente López–, con quien convive desde hace tres años. En su departamento de La Lucila, recibe a ¡HOLA! Argentina y habla de amor y de trabajo.

- When did you choose journalism above advice?

- Journalism found me when I was studying advocacy at 19.In 2005 I was Queen of the Mar in Mar del Plata and they summoned me about Garage TV to do a program.It was there when I realized that that was what I liked.Then, when he finished that year of reign, I was studying the second year of law and they summoned me for the Channel 2 news.When I received myself, I worked for six months in a legal study, I specialized in labor law and gave myself the opportunity to have an interview in a court, and that same day I did a casting to enter an air channel.When they told me that I had been selected, I took it as a sign and chose to continue on that path.

- How was Mar del Plata to leave?

- I was quite large, I was 30, but until that moment I had been living in my childhood house with my parents.I did not feel the need to become independent, I paid my things with my work and at the same time I was accompanied, until one day I had no more work and I wanted to look for new opportunities.At first I missed them a lot, I lived in my best friend's house, until I got used to loneliness.An acquaintance introduced me to the journalist Paulino Rodríguez and we started working together in the magnifying glass, a channel current program 26.

- What do you like about journalism?

- I really like the Magazine format, like the one we have today in good morning, America, because in addition to informing, we entertain.I joined the team in October 2019, and at first I had a hard time having social life, such as going to a meal with friends, because I get up at half past four in the morning and at ten I'm going to sleep.That can be the only negative, because everything else does it with a lot of passion.I like it so much that it doesn't cost me.

–The arrow with Jorge Macri occurred on a television set.

- Yes, on August 8, 2018 he came from invited to Paulino's program and that day I proposed to take a picture all of us who were in the studio, I uploaded it to my social networks, and he sent me a message to tell me that he loved meknow.At that time, I did not accept, but we still contact.A year later, we went to lunch and that same day I realized that I liked it, that it made me feel very good.

- What did he conquered you?

–It's very gentleman, from those old people who make you feel comfortable at all times.In addition, it has many values and is very seductive.

- With the pandemic began to live together?

–The day they decreed the social, preventive and mandatory isolation called me and proposed to go home.It ended up being a great experience for us ... I believed that it was going to be more difficult for him, because he was alone, but it was very generous with his space and made me feel at home.He adapted to my schedules and we both made a commitment to the other.When their children were allowed to visit us [Jorge is Antonio's father (22), Martina (20) and Giorgio (17) of his first marriage to Florence de Nardi] we could generate new meetings and we all met a little more.I feel very comfortable with him, coexistence strengthened our relationship.A day after a meal with the boys he told me: "Thank you for having turned my house into a home", and that is the case, we had a great time together.

- How do you take the family assembled?

- Jorge's boys made me feel very good from the beginning.Now they have known me for a while, we gain confidence, and understand each other well facilitates things.They are very well raised, they have the same values that I support, they are easy for the treatment and seeing their dad happy, they realize that we love each other and that we do well.

- Do you feel twenty years apart between you?

- Maybe it can load you with prejudices at the beginning, but when you live the relationship, you feel so good and happy, the age difference becomes anecdotal.

- How did your parents take it?

–Papá is 61 years old and when I told him, like every father, he wanted to know what intentions he had.But as soon as he met him, he realized that he was a guy and was calm.In addition, Jorge is very entering and bought the whole family.

"Do you want to be a mother?"

- I always prioritized my work and I saw motherhood as a long -term dream.I still don't feel like.Jorge is aware that at some point it can happen, and if it happened, I know that he will be an excellent father, as is today with his children.His friends, even his cousin Mauricio, the former president, who was the greatest father, tell him not to miss that experience.

- Do they have marriage plans?

- I see the marriage as a closer plan than motherhood.But in this context of pandemic it is difficult.I would like to make a party, celebrate it with our family and friends.When we are all immunized we can speak it again.

- Is it jealous of your profession?

-No not at all.He loves what I do, gives me wings to continue growing, and that is one of the reasons why I also choose to be with him.We accompany ourselves a lot in our races.We have a great relationship because we accept each other and help each other.

- How do you take your political commitment?

- I tried to look for a sense to be the couple of an mayor.It seems to me that the role of First Lady and accompanying is about taking advantage of the opportunity to give a hand and see from what place we can help.Not only in a photo.And that is why, in Pandemia I committed myself to a group of women entrepreneurs from Vicente López and helped them make their work visible.

- What things do you like to do together?

–The Saturday is our day to cook with family.He is the expert, prepares Italian cuisine for his roots, since his parents were always great chefs and since Chiquito he likes the kitchen.So every Saturday we think what to prepare, we put our set and make live broadcasts on Instagram.It makes the best pasta and sauces, and we recently prepared a meat of three and a half hours of cooking, recipe of his mother, Alicia, and it was a hit.

Production: Tamara Tornello

Makeup and hairstyle: Lourdes Costa @luleramakeup

Acknowledgments: Vitamin, Uma and Breclav