Argentinian Ignacio Figueras (known as Nacho) may be one of the top polo players in the world, but he has earned a few other credentials to his name, from fashion model to philanthropist and is a close friend of the British Royals.
The professional polo player, who holds a 6-goal handicap and an estimated net worth of $30 million, has been modeling for Ralph Lauren since 2000.
But modeling was never the goal for the athlete, who began his career just to earn some extra cash and bring more attention to his beloved sport. It all took off when he was approached by photographer Bruce Weber at a party in The Hamptons hosted by Calvin Klein’s ex-wife Kelly, who encouraged him to get his start in modeling.
Strike a pose: Nacho recently traveled to Rome, Italy, ahead of participating in the Sentebale polo charity match, which Prince Harry is a co-founder; pictured in November 2018
While that avenue of his career has introduced his objectively handsome face into everyday homes via glossy fashion magazines and television commercials, the game of polo has always been his true passion.
Born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina, he started playing the game at the ripe age of 9 years old after his father introduced him to the sport. He became a professional polo player by the time he was just 17. After a stint in Europe, he ended up at the White Birch Polo Team based in Bridgehampton, New York.
But Nacho’s love for both polo and investing in charity work is what ultimately led him to his most famous relationship.
He and Prince Harry share some common interests, one of them being, of course, polo.
The pair have been playing alongside each other in charity matches for the past decade, ultimately moving them to becoming close friends.
Score! Nacho congratulates Prince Harry after scoring during the Sentebale Handa Polo Cup charity match in Rome; pictured May 2019
Polo for charity: Nacho Figueras and Prince Harry hold the trophy after the Sentebale Royal Salute Polo Cup, which helps raise funds to support children and young adults affected by HIV in Lesotho and Botswana; pictured in June 2017
Both Prince Harry and Nacho regularly play in Sentebale’s charity matches to raise funds for Sentebale, an organization co-founded by Prince Harry that supports children and young people affected by HIV in southern Africa.
Nacho shared that he even met the newest member of the Royal family in London ahead of the match, Prince Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, if that is any indication of how close the two are.
Along with forming a special friendship with Prince Harry, the game of polo also brought him to his wife Delfina Blaquier, the daughter of an Argentinian polo player.
The pair first met, fittingly, at a polo match in Buenos Aires in 1997. They started dating in early 1998 and welcomed their first son in 2000, and wed in December 2005.
The couple now has four children together: Hilario; Aurora; Artemo; and Alba.
Raise a glass: Nacho and Delfina recently attended the 12th Annual Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey; pictured in June
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