Francisco Rodriguez, also known as Francisco ‘Pipin’ Ferreras, is a Cuban free diver.
The freediver is well known for his deep-diving accomplishments and relationship with his ex-wife, Audrey Mestre. Ferreras is originally from Matanzas, on Cuba’s northern coast, and began free-diving when he was just five. The professional free-diver was given his famous nickname, “Pipin,” as a child, and years later, he added Ferreras.
The athlete began his underwater career in the little-known sport of spearfishing. Furthermore, it’s worth noting that the athlete, Pipin, was first noticed to be freediving by some Italians who were visiting Cuba. The tourists that were visiting Cuba were eager to see his abilities.
Not long after seeing his talent in the diving community, the athlete fell in love with the sport. He quickly discovered that while spearfishing and diving for dark coral, he consistently dived as deep as the free diving champions. He also decided to enter the sport and set his first world record at 27.
Freediver Francisco Pipin Ferreras Is Married To Nina Melo
Francisco Pipin is a happily married man. The professional diver has been married to a gorgeous lady named Nina Melo.
Melo is Pipin’s second wife after the tragic loss of his first wife Audrey. After 10 years of mourning his first wife’s loss, the skilled diver discovered love again.
On June 21, 2012, he married Juscelina Cacau Melo better recognized as Nina, a Canadian former South Beach model.
The pair opted to marry in Miami, Florida, surrounded by family and friends. Ever since their marriage, the couple has been spotted free-diving together.
In fact, in an interview, Nina even revealed that the model got into free diving only after meeting her partner, Francisco.
Pipin was the one who got Nina engaged in the water sport and now Nina presents herself as a free diver too.
On top of that, Nina even explained that along with free diving, the couple even goes spearfishing together where they would hunt fishes that Francisco would cook.
Family Life Of The Free Diver, Popin
Francisco Ferreras was born in Matanzas, Cuba on 18 January 1962. Ferreras also recognized as Pippin has been starting his diving journey since an early age.
Pippin started his passion turned into a career at an early age showcasing that he had loving and supporting parents.
The freediver, however, has maintained to keep his parent’s and family’s life out of the public media.
Although, we know that he is currently living a happy life with his wife Nina Melo, and are settled in Miami, Florida. Ferreras has been married to Nina, his current wife, for over 10 years.
The professional free diver is now 60 years old and lives a quiet life with $3 million in his bank account.
Although the professional diver is currently at peace, he has been involved in several scandals and allegations. Ferreras has been through several hassles.
Some claim he cheated on several of his no-limits dives by taking a breath mid-dive from a hose that stuffed the balloon on the sled.
Many people have called him arrogant and conceited, and many have questioned his athletic talents.
Who Was Francisco’s First Wife, Audrey Mestre? Their Kids
Ferreras, a free diver, was married to Audrey before Nina. One of the reasons the professional diver is well-known is because he is a member of the influential duo Francisco and Audrey.
In 1996, the professional diver met his first wife, Mexican-born Audrey Mestre, who was also a freediver.
The couple gradually began to build affection for one another and married in 1999. The married couple, however, did not have any kids together.
Soon after their marriage, the couple became a frequent record-breaking couple in the sport of freediving, splitting men’s and women’s records.
The pair were enjoying their married life, but Mestre left this world in an unfortunate manner before their third wedding anniversary.
Mestre passed away on October 12, 2002, during an early attempt to break the world record for 160 meters no-limits.
Mestre demised her fatal dive due to mechanical faults since the oxygen tank was empty when she reached her target depth of 171 meters.
Mestre was not brought to the surface until nine minutes into her dive; she had a pulse at the surface, but no medical personnel was there to treat her.
Ferreras plunged from the surface in diving gear and collected Mestre’s passed-out body during her record-holding effort on that specific day.