Why are you so interested in micro-financing?
I've been born in Argentina, a country that as many South-American countries went through a difficuly economical time. As a child I got it right, but I still saw that a stable economy would give the best opportunities to everyone. That's why I decided when I was 14 I wanted to study economy. When I started working in a bank in New York, I got in touch with micro-financing. I loved that. Exactly what I thought that was needed!
Are you going to give your children money?
Yes. But they are too small for that right now. They do have a saving pot. Amalia is starting to think about what she wants to do with the money. But she still needs to save for that.
Do you recognize that feeling, when you go onto a plain you feel like you're getting pulled right back to your children?
I think that is the same for every mother. So it is for me. My children and husband have priority. They are the most important. When I'm in the Netherlands, I'm with the children a lot. I always bring them to school. And I always try to pick them up after school too, but unfortunately that doesn't always work.
Mother instinct, ey. I've felt guilty towards my children a lot. I thought; why am I doing this? Why am I leaving again?
But that goes with the territory. I don't need to feel guilty. Because travelling comes with what I do. But I try to keep it as minimum as possible. I keep on finding it extremly difficult to say goodbye to them. I enjoy them so much, but well, they also see sometimes it can't be done any other way. Gladly we call as much as possible. It's just that I miss them so much when I'm away. But on the other hand, my job gives me a great feeling. But I do set boundaries. When I took my new function at the VN, that I won't visit more countries per year than I have to.
When you're at home, does Willem-Alexander give you advice?
Yes, he gives advice ofcourse. Not as much about the substance but he does say to whom I can talk to. He just helps me through being my husband. To support me. And he does that every day.
Ofcourse I'm tired sometimes, and sometimes it doesn't go as fast as I'd like to. Gladly he then says; ''Well darling, just continue. It'll be allright.''
He's very positive.
The first few questions. Not feeling to do the rest.
