For more than three decades, Andrea Bocelli has captivated audiences with his soaring voice. But behind the scenes, the acclaimed singer is just as passionate about a quiet family life.
In a new documentary, Andrea Bocelli: Because I Believe (in theaters September 21), fans will see him not only as an artist, but also as a husband, father, and friend. His remarkable talent has found him chatting with everyone from Queen Elizabeth II to Pope Francis , but the film makes it clear that he’s happiest hanging out with childhood friends or playing chess.
Married to his wife, Veronica Berti , since 2014 and together for more than two decades, Bocelli, 66, credits their enduring bond to curiosity. “There’s a basic recipe for making a marriage work,” Bocelli tells Us Weekly. “We’re willing to get to know each other, understand each other, and then find a compromise. Luckily, we have this strong chemistry as a foundation. We also need fantasy [and] to have a lot of imagination so that you can rekindle the relationship… [and it] never gets boring.”
The classical artist, who is blind, recently spoke to Us through an interpreter about his pride in his children and where his love for life comes from. One thing he doesn’t do? Slow down. “To be honest, I’ve never felt old!” he says. “I ride my bike, I do all the water sports, just like I did when I was 30. There’s no indication that I’m getting old.”
What is your favorite thing to do with your 13-year-old daughter, Virginia?
The most important thing is just to talk. She is [at] a very delicate age – the transition from child to teenager, and that means a lot of problems that are exacerbated by social media, which [is] very dangerous. We need to talk and listen to our children.
In the documentary, the audience sees you riding horses. What do you love about the hobby?
The thing I love most is the challenge. I could ride a pretty wild horse when I [was] young. And now, after many years, I want to ride well-trained horses!
Brian Bedder/Getty Images for Trinity Broadcasting Network
It’s obvious that you have such a great zest for life and a love of life. Where does that come from?
I was raised in [a] family where I felt very loved and understood. I’m still so curious [about] everything that happened to me and everything around me.
You’ve talked about people holding you back as you grew up. Tell Us About the formative “no” to you.
I’ve always been a very competitive person. In chess, in everything I do, I never like to lose. However… all the NOS I got gave me pressure to do things that I wouldn’t have done otherwise.
What do you think when you look back on your childhood performances?
After everything I’ve learned, if I listen to myself when I was young, I [would] say I wasn’t very good. I wouldn’t be very [impressed] nowadays!
Your son Matteo is pursuing a career in music. Do you give him any singing advice?
I try to teach him everything I’ve learned over the years. It’s been a very long and difficult journey for me. We live in a very fast-paced world and we don’t have all the time we had when we were young. I try to pass on all my knowledge to Matteo. Other people tell me that his voice really resembles mine. I give him some advice and it gets easier. I hope [he] will listen to my advice!
Tristan Mazumi/Getty Images
Matteo sang at Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez’s wedding this summer. Would you consider joining him for the event?
I was truly honored that they reached out to Matteo. As a parent, I am extremely pleased. It would be weird if I [wasn’t] so happy about it!
You often perform in front of VIPs and huge crowds. Tell us how you deal with stress and nerves.
You can tell yourself, “I’ve done everything I could have done to be [my] best. … Everything else that I can’t control is in God’s hands.”
You are very close to your childhood friends. What have they taught you?
I am very attached [to] my country, my city and all the people who have been with me since the beginning. My childhood friends are still my friends today. They have taught me a lot. They have also given me a lot in terms of friendship [and] about serenity and happiness. You cannot live alone. The beauty of life is also related to the harmony you find with the world around you.
