| Máxima | |
|---|---|
 Formal portrait, 2015 | |
| Queen consort of the Netherlands | |
| Tenure | 30 April 2013 – present |
| Born | Máxima Zorreguieta (1971-05-17)17 May 1971 (age 54) Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| Spouse | |
| Issue | |
| Father | Jorge Zorreguieta |
| Mother | María del Carmen Cerruti [fy] |
| Religion | Roman Catholicism |
| Dutch royal family |
 |
Extended family Princess Irene
Princess Margriet*
|
| * Member of theDutch royal house |
Máxima[a] (bornMáxima Zorreguieta[b] on 17 May 1971) isQueen of the Netherlands as the wife ofKing Willem-Alexander.
Argentine by birth, she worked in finance when she met Willem-Alexander, eldest son andheir apparent ofQueen Beatrix, in 1999. They married in 2002, and became king and queen on the abdication of her mother-in-law on 30 April 2013. Máxima has promotedsocial integration ofimmigrants,LGBTQ rights, andfinancial inclusion. She and Willem-Alexander have three daughters, PrincessesCatharina-Amalia,Alexia, andAriane, who are first, second, and third, respectively, in theline of succession.
Máxima Zorreguieta[1][2][3][4] was born inBuenos Aires, Argentina, on 17 May 1971. She is the daughter ofJorge Zorreguieta (1928–2017), who served as Secretary of Agriculture under GeneralJorge Rafael Videla duringArgentina's last civil-military dictatorship (1976–1983), and his second wife,María del Carmen Cerruti [fy] (born 1944).[2] She is named after her paternal great-grandmother Máxima Bonorino González (1874–1965), ofItalian andSpanish descent. Originally from theBasque country, her ancestor carrying the Zorreguieta surname, José Antonio Sorreguieta y Oyarzábal Gamboa y Sagastume, migrated to Argentina around the year 1790.[5] She also hasPortuguese ancestry through her father's side, and is a descendant of KingAfonso III of Portugal.[6]
She grew up in theRecoleta neighbourhood of Buenos Aires and studied atNorthlands School, a bilingual school of the city of Olivos. She graduated with a degree in economics from thePontifical Catholic University of Argentina (UCA) in 1995. This private university is governed by a directory of local bishops, which includedPope Francis, thenArchbishop of Buenos Aires and Grand Chancellor of UCA. During her student years, Francis presided overthe traditional Mass at the beginning of classes. She later completed her studies with amaster's degree in the United States.[7]
From 1989 to 1990, while still in college, she worked forMercado Abierto Electrónico S.A. From 1992 to 1995, she worked in the sales department of Boston Securities SA in Buenos Aires, where she conducted research on software for financial markets. From July 1996 to February 1998, she worked forHSBC James Capel Inc. in New York City, where she became vice president of institutional sales forLatin America. From then until July 1999, she was vice president of the emerging markets division ofDresdner Kleinwort Benson in New York. From May 2000 to March 2001, she worked forDeutsche Bank inBrussels.[8]
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Máxima met Willem-Alexander in April 1999 inSeville, Spain, during theSeville Spring Fair. In an interview, they stated that he introduced himself only as "Alexander", so that she did not know he was a prince. She thought he was joking when he later told her that he was thePrince of Orange and heir apparent to the Dutch throne. According to the unauthorised biography "Máxima. La construcción de una reina", she was invited to Seville by a friend living in New York who openly said she would introduce her to two European princes.They agreed to meet again two weeks later in New York, where Máxima was working forDresdner Kleinwort Benson. Although they first met in Seville, their relationship apparently began in New York.[9]
The news of the couple's relationship and eventual marriage plans caused controversy in the Netherlands, due to the involvement of Máxima's fatherJorge Zorreguieta as a cabinet minister during theNational Reorganization Process, the most recent Argentine dictatorship. Her father's 1979–1981 tenure as a minister took place during the later stages of theDirty War (1974–1982), a period of repression that saw about 30,000 people killed ordisappeared during the seven-year military regime. At the request of theStates General, Michiel Baud, a Dutch professor in Latin American studies, carried out an inquiry into the involvement of Zorreguieta in the Dirty War. Zorreguieta claimed that, as a civilian, he was unaware of the Dirty War while he was a cabinet minister. Baud determined that Máxima's father had not been directly involved in any of the numerous atrocities that took place during that period. However, Baud also concluded that Zorreguieta was almost certainly aware of them; in Baud's view, it was highly unlikely that a cabinet minister would not have known about them.[10] After becoming queen, Máxima's popularity increased. As of 2024, she is the most popular Dutch royal.[11]
A television seriesMáxima Zorreguieta: Motherland began airing on Videoland in the Netherlands in 2024. The series is set to focus on her early life in Argentina and meeting King Willem-Alexander.[12]
The couple announced their engagement on 30 March 2001; Máxima addressed the nation in Dutch (which at the time she only spoke at a basic conversational level) during the live televised broadcast.[13] Máxima was granted Dutch citizenship by aroyal decree on 17 May 2001 and now has dual citizenship: Argentine and Dutch.[14] The engagement was formally approved by the States General later that year, a necessary step for Willem-Alexander to remain in line to the throne.
Máxima and Willem-Alexander were married on 2 February 2002 in a civil ceremony in theBeurs van Berlage,Amsterdam, which was then followed by a religious ceremony at Amsterdam'sNieuwe Kerk ("New Church").[15][16] Máxima's parents were not present at the wedding; her father was told he could not attend due to his role as a cabinet minister during theNational Reorganization Process, and her mother chose not to attend without her husband.[17][18]
The couple are the parents of three daughters:
Queen Máxima has a particular concern for theintegration ofimmigrants intoDutch culture. She was a member of a special parliamentary commission that sought to recommend ways to increase the participation of female immigrants in the workforce. Máxima stresses the importance for immigrants of learning theDutch language (as she did) in order to fully participate in Dutch society. Dutch is the Queen's third language; she is also fluent in Spanish (her native language) and English. She speaks French at a conversational level.
In 2007, Máxima inadvertently caused a wave of massive criticism[citation needed] when in a speech to theScientific Council for Government Policy she said that in the seven years that she had been in the Netherlands, she had been unable tofind the Dutch identity.[19] Maxima is quoted as having said the following:
... but 'the' Dutch identity? No, I have not found it. The Netherlands is: large windows without curtains so everyone can look in; but also adherence to privacy and coziness. The Netherlands is: one biscuit at tea; but also great hospitality and warmth. The Netherlands is: sobriety, control and pragmatism; but also the experience of intense emotions together. The Netherlands is far too diverse to summarize in one cliché. 'The' Dutchman does not exist. As a consolation I can tell you that 'the' Argentine also does not exist. I therefore find it very interesting that the title of the report of theScientific Council for Government Policy is not 'the Dutch identity'. But:Identification with the Netherlands. That leaves room for development and diversity.[c]
She participates in conferences around the world representing the Netherlands. She was granted a seat in theDutch Council of State on 20 October 2004,[20] the highest advisory body and court of administration. She was a member of the Committee for Ethnic Minority Women's Participation from July 2003 until 2005. She has a seat on the board of governors of the chair on the Management of Diversity and Integration at theVrije Universiteit Amsterdam; she (along with her husband) is a patron of the Orange Fund (established to promotesocial welfare and cohesion in the Netherlands); and she also chairs the Board of Trustees of the Prince Claus Chair in Development and Equity of theInternational Institute of Social Studies[21] and theUniversity of Utrecht.[citation needed]
Máxima attended a conference concerned with LGBT rights on 5 March 2008.[22][23]
Queen Máxima has been honorary chair of the Money Wise Platform since 2010. In this capacity, the Queen focuses attention on the importance of financial education and managing money sensibly, especially where children and young people are concerned. The Queen acts as special advisor to the Platform and consults with interested parties on ways of increasing people's financial awareness and resilience.[24]
Since 10 June 2015, Queen Máxima has been the honorary chair of the Ambassadors for Music at School Platform. Queen Máxima has for some years been committed to giving as many children as possible the opportunity to create music.[24]
Queen Máxima is a member of the Committee for Enterprise and Finance, which succeeded the Microfinance Council in 2011. The Queen is committed to extending the reach of various financing opportunities, both through coaching and by providing credit for new and existing small businesses in the Netherlands. She also works to increase the number of women entrepreneurs and the scope they have to expand their businesses.[24]
| External videos | |
|---|---|
 Máxima launches MIND Us: "My quest after the death of my sister Inés" |
Since March 2022 Queen Máxima is a Honorary President of "MIND Us" – a mental health platform created in collaboration with theMIND Foundation.[25][26][27]
In 2026, Máxima enlisted in the DutchNational Reserve Corps.[28]
Queen Máxima serves as the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (UNSGSA). In September 2009 then UN Secretary-GeneralBan Ki-moon designated her to this role in order to raise awareness on the importance of inclusive financial systems for achieving economic and development goals such aspoverty alleviation,food security and education. In her work as UNSGSA, the Queen focuses on how formalfinancial services such as savings,insurance, and credit can prevent people from falling into poverty due to expenditures onhealthcare, and people who are not able to protect themselves against rising food prices and poverty because they do not have access to basicsavings accounts. The role of the UNSGSA is to foster action by governments, private sector, financial system standard setters, and others towards a more inclusive financial system that works for the poor.[29] In later years, her focus as a special advocate expanded to advocating digital financial inclusion, financial health, responsible technology for financial inclusion to supportSustainable Development Goals and agricultural finance.[30][31] Máxima is also an advocate for increasing access to financial services, improving consumer protection and enhancing financial literacy.[32] According to the UNSGSA website, she "aims to unlock development opportunities and economic inclusion for all."[30]
Queen Máxima visited several countries on behalf of the United Nations.[33] She also recorded a video for the launch of the Global Findex Database 2021.[34] Queen Máxima is also the honorary patron of the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI) since June 2011. In this role she works with governments and partners to advance the G20 Action Plan on Financial Inclusion, and the G20 Financial Inclusion Peer Learning Program. Previously, the Queen was a member of the Advisors Group for the United Nations' International Year ofMicrocredit 2005[35] and until 2009, was a member of UN Advisors Group on Inclusive Financial Sectors. She also work as the Global Agenda Trustee for the World Economic Forum's Global Challenge Initiative on the Future of the Global Financial System.[30] Máxima convened the CEO Partnership for Economic Inclusion.[30]
Queen Máxima was appointed in July 2025 as Chair of the International Advisory Board ofGlobal Finance & Technology Network (GFTN).[36]
By a decree issued on 25 January 2002, upon the solemnization of marriage, Máxima Zorreguieta was granted the titles Princess of the Netherlands and Princess of Orange-Nassau, and the style Royal Highness was formally conferred upon her. She also became "mevrouw van Amsberg" (Mrs. van Amsberg).[37]
Another decree issued on the same day also granted her own personalcoat of arms and a personal standard.[38]
On 13 May 2011, the Dutch parliament confirmed that Máxima would becomequeen consort of the Netherlands upon her husband's accession, after a debate over her future title and style.[39] On 28 January 2013, it was announced that Queen Beatrix would abdicate on 30 April in favour of Willem-Alexander.[40] Máxima is the kingdom's first queen consort since PrincessEmma of Waldeck and Pyrmont, the second wife ofWilliam III. She is the first Dutch queen to have been born as a commoner, and the first to have been born outsideEurope.
Máxima's full title is: Her Majesty Queen Máxima, Princess of the Netherlands, Princess of Orange-Nassau.[42]
Knight Grand Cross of theOrder of the Netherlands Lion (2 February 2002)[44][45]
Recipient of theWedding Medal of Prince Willem-Alexander, Prince of Orange and Máxima Zorreguieta
King Willem-Alexander Investiture Medal (30 April 2013)
Grand Cross of theOrder of the House of Orange (6 May 2021)[46]
Austria: Grand Star of theOrder of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria
Belgium:
Brazil: Grand Cross of theOrder of the Southern Cross
Brunei: Member 1st Class of theFamily Order of Laila Utama (DK I, January 2013)
Cape Verde: Recipient of the Medal of Merit
Chile: Grand Cross of theOrder of Merit
Cyprus: Grand Cross of theOrder of Makarios III (4 March 2025)
Czech Republic: Member 1st Class of theOrder of the White Lion (4 June 2025)[47][48]
Denmark: Knight of theOrder of the Elephant (RE)[49]
Estonia: Member 1st Class of theOrder of the Cross of Terra Mariana (5 June 2018)[50][51][52]
Finland: Grand Cross of theOrder of the White Rose of Finland (11 December 2025)[53]
France:
Germany:
Greece: Grand Cross of theOrder of the Redeemer (31 October 2022)[56]
Italy: Knight Grand Cross of theOrder of Merit of the Italian Republic[57]
Japan: Grand Cordon (Paulownia) of theOrder of the Precious Crown
Jordan: Grand Cordon with Brilliants of theSupreme Order of the Renaissance (20 March 2018)
Latvia: Grand Cross of theOrder of the Three Stars[58]
Lithuania: Grand Cross of theOrder for Merits to Lithuania[59]
Luxembourg:
Mexico: Grand Cross of theMexican Order of the Aztec Eagle[61]
Norway: Grand Cross of theOrder of Saint Olav[62]
Oman:
Poland: Knight of theOrder of the White Eagle
Portugal:
Slovakia: Member 1st Class of theOrder of the White Double Cross (7 March 2023)[64]
South Korea: Grand Gwanghwa Medal of theOrder of Diplomatic Service Merit (12 December 2023)[65][66]
Spain:
Suriname: Grand Cordon of theOrder of the Yellow Star (1 December 2025)
Sweden:
United Arab Emirates: Grand Cross of the Order of Union[70] |
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Máxima Zorreguieta was born in Argentina on 17 May 1971.
Queen Máxima was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on 17 May 1971 as Máxima Zorreguieta.
After moving to the United States to complete a master's degree
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