Model Maria Borges is Speaking Up Against Women Abuse

Maria Borges has always stood out in the global fashion world. Many people know her as the tall, striking Angolan model who grew up in hardship, rose from an orphaned childhood and found her way to runways, major fashion brands and magazine covers. Supporters admire her blend of drive and charm and follow her journey from early castings in Africa to the grand stages of Europe and America.

Yet behind the growth and applause, there has always been a story she never shared. A story that stayed locked away while she kept smiling through lights, long work days and constant travel. She is now opening that door to tell the world what she says she lived through, and her decision has already pushed an important topic to the surface: abuse suffered by women who stay quiet out of fear, shame and a lack of protection.

The model released a detailed public statement explaining that her life has not been as smooth as people assume when they see glamour and success.

According to her message, she spent ten years in a relationship with a man she identified as Perikles Balde Fernandes Mandinga. She says she endured physical, emotional and financial harm throughout that period. She also claims he harmed some women in her family. In her statement, she emphasises that she contacted law enforcement on several occasions in both the United States and Portugal and that reports exist to show she tried to seek help.

The model says she has kept records of everything. She also says she currently has full custody of her daughter in the United States and that she has documents confirming that he has not offered any support for the child.

In her message, Maria Borges describes how vulnerable she felt as a young girl who lost both parents at an early age. She explains that being young, trusting and focused on building a career put her at a disadvantage when dealing with someone she believed cared for her. She says she was deeply attached and wanted to see good qualities in him, which made her blind to harmful patterns.

According to the model, she did not sign a prenuptial agreement because she trusted him completely, and she alleges that he later took money and properties without contributing. She says that while she worked tirelessly, he used that trust for his own gain.

The model shared that after learning she was pregnant, she carried the full responsibility for her wellbeing, the welfare of her unborn child and the needs of her family. She says she continued providing for everyone while preparing to raise her daughter alone. Today she is still raising her child by herself.

According to her, the man she named abandoned them while they were still married. She further claims he impregnated another young woman and moved her into a house in Portugal, a house she says she paid for and maintained. She says this was done without her approval, and she adds that their belongings are still in that home.

In the statement, Maria Borges explains that the young woman he is now involved with is also caught in a troubling situation. She describes moments when this young woman used items from her home, wore her clothing and even encouraged conflict. Still, she refuses to blame her and instead calls her another casualty of manipulation.

The model makes it clear she does not view the young woman as the root of the problem. She sees her as someone who might also be dealing with control and intimidation.

Borges also says she remains legally tied to the man she mentioned because he refuses to let go unless he receives access to the wealth and assets she earned from her teenage years to her current career.

According to Maria Borges, she is now fighting for her safety and that of her daughter, believing that the law is not moving fast enough to protect them. Her statement was honest, emotional and brave, shining light on something many women are scared to talk about.

One part of Maria’s statement that resonated with many people was her reflection on what it means to be a dark-skinned Black woman dealing with danger and expecting help. She said there are moments when she feels society does not step up for women like her. She said she has been living with worry for a long time; worry that something might happen to her or someone close to her.

Maria is speaking because she wants to stand with women who have experienced or are still experiencing harm in their private relationships. She says she believes their stories. She says she sees them. And she says she represents them. She wanted young girls across the world who admire her to know that her life has not been perfect behind the scenes.

The model urged any girl or woman living in a harmful situation to protect herself and ask for help because her own story shows that silence only amplifies danger. Her voice in this moment is not only about her personal experience. It is a signal for other women to reclaim their courage.

Beyond the heavy parts of her message, attention has returned to her journey as a mother. Maria welcomed her daughter Athena in 2021, and the arrival of the baby gave her joy and renewed strength.

Maria Borges announced the birth with excitement, sharing the time, date and details of the delivery. The most heartwarming detail was that baby Athena was born on the model’s birthday, something she had always wished for.

In February 2022, she gave the world a first look at her daughter’s face. She posted a video on her social media pages showing the little girl wrapped in a towel and later dressed in a Burberry outfit.

The video was a celebration of Athena turning three months old. Fans loved the tender moment and expressed happiness seeing mother and daughter in such a joyful clip. Maria danced while carrying her child, showing her playful side. The video spread quickly, and messages from fans around the world filled her page, celebrating her as a mother and encouraging her in her path.

Maria Borges is also a rising star in the fashion world. In 2018, she graced the cover of Schick Magazine for its “Big Fashion Issue.” It was a strong moment for African fashion because the magazine wanted to spotlight someone who represented talent, charm, personality and success in the global industry.

The editorial explored her rise, her work ethic and her ability to navigate the world of modeling with courage and endurance. The cover, shot in Brooklyn, showed her wearing a fitted black two-piece look with a bold hat and heels. It captured her image as a confident and powerful African model standing tall in an industry that has not always embraced models with her features and background.

The interview inside the magazine discussed her life, her strategy in the industry and her views about the future of fashion.

The model’s decision to speak up about her personal experience has sparked conversations in different parts of the world. Supporters have praised her bravery, saying her decision could push women who have suffered in silence to break free. Her statement has also increased discussions about the need for stronger systems to protect women dealing with harm behind closed doors. Activists, fans and public figures are urging people to listen to women when they open up about their pain, especially when they say they are scared and unprotected.

Maria’s message comes at a time when many women around the world still face harm in homes, relationships and marriages. Many are afraid to leave, while others are afraid to speak because they think they will not be believed. Her voice adds strength to a growing movement that calls for awareness, safety and proper support. Her courage is pushing new supporters to ask how society can do better.

While the details in her statement are deeply personal, the model made it clear that she wants to speak directly to girls around the world. She said she wants them to understand that social media often shows a filtered image. Her life online looks bright, but real life is more complex. She shared this because she wants young women to know they should not compare their hidden struggles to someone else’s highlight clips. Maria wants them to protect themselves, value themselves and never stay silent when something threatens their wellbeing.

Through her message, Maria has created a space for honest conversations about women’s safety, emotional health, financial independence and the importance of recognising harmful behaviour early. She has pointed out how love can sometimes hide danger, how trust can sometimes be misused and how silence can sometimes trap women for years.

By speaking, the model is helping others understand that abuse does not always begin with dramatic events. It can start quietly, slowly, in ways that confuse the heart and blind the mind. Her journey shows that it often takes time to see the full picture, and leaving is not always easy. She is adding her voice to a global conversation that saves lives and encourages women to stand up for themselves.

Today, Maria stands as a model, a mother, a survivor and a woman using her personal story to encourage others. She is raising her daughter with love, building her career with new strength and speaking with clarity about the need for protection and justice. She is determined to keep moving forward.

Her courage to step into the light is already making a difference. And her message will continue to reach women in every corner of the world, reminding them that their lives matter, their voices count and their safety should never be negotiable.

Photo: Instagram/iammariaborges