Hiba Abouk reveals father's alcoholism and family impact

Hiba Abouk has opened up about her father's alcoholism and the subsequent financial ruin that shattered her family's stability during her childhood. In an interview on the show Universo Calleja, the actress shared details of her difficult upbringing for the first time.

The revelation

Abouk explained that her father, a successful broker who moved from Tunisia to Spain in 1976, became an alcoholic after being 'trapped' by Madrid. This led to him losing his job and fortune. "Eso destroza en muchos aspectos a una familia", she said Source: lavanguardia. She was only 8 years old when the problems began.

Consequences and resilience

Her mother, who had never worked, had to find a job to support the four children. Abouk herself started working at 15 as a babysitter and tutor. She described feeling constantly alert and having few friends. The family struggled to maintain their previous lifestyle, and Abouk's school granted her a scholarship for her grades Source: elmundoes.

Finding escape in theater

Amidst the turmoil, Abouk discovered theater as a free activity at school. "Cuando me subía al escenario era muy terapéutico, me olvidaba de absolutamente todo", she recalled Source: abces. This passion led her to study at the Royal School of Dramatic Art and eventually become a well-known actress.

Hope for the future

Abouk revealed that her father has been sober for a year, offering a chance for healing. Jesús Calleja, visibly moved, said "Me estoy quedando petrificado" Source: abces. The actress, who also faced a high-profile separation from footballer Achraf Hakimi in 2023, now focuses on her two children and continues to believe in love.