Jocelyn Burgardt is a Uruguayan dancer and cultural entrepreneur best known as the longtime partner of striker Edinson Cavani.
The two met in 2014 at a Carnival parade in Cavani’s native Uruguay and have been together for nearly a decade, raising two children together without ever formally marrying.
She has built her own identity beyond the relationship, most notably as the creative force behind Nómbrame, a children’s book project exploring the meaning and history behind personal names, to which Cavani himself has contributed as a published author.
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Jocelyn Burgardt Biography
She was born on September 21, 1992, and grew up in Bella Unión, a small city in Uruguay’s Artigas Department near the border with Brazil.
Bella Unión is known for its strong Carnival traditions, and it was within this culture that Jocelyn developed her identity as a dancer from a young age.
Jocelyn Burgardt trained formally in classical ballet, building a strong technical foundation before discovering her true passion for samba, a style deeply connected to Uruguayan Carnival celebrations.
Every year, Jocelyn performed with Irupé, one of Bella Unión’s traditional comparsas, the organized dance groups that perform choreographed routines during Carnival parades. The role requires discipline, extensive rehearsal, and strong community involvement.
Being selected to dance with a comparsa such as Irupé is considered a mark of genuine skill in Uruguayan Carnival culture rather than a casual hobby, and Jocelyn had already established a respected local reputation as a dancer years before meeting Cavani.
She has remained deeply connected to her home town, returning frequently even after her relationship with Cavani took her to Europe and later South America.
Edinson Cavani
Jocelyn Burgardt and Edinson Cavani met in 2014, when Jocelyn was 22, and Cavani was 27. Their first meeting took place during Bella Unión’s Carnival season, where Jocelyn was performing with the Irupé comparsa.
Cavani, who grew up in nearby Salto, was back in Uruguay during a break from his club career in Italy, and the two crossed paths at the event.
The timing was also significant for Cavani personally. He had recently gone through the end of his six-year marriage to María Soledad Cabris Yarrús, the mother of his two eldest sons, Bautista and Lucas.
Reports at the time cited infidelity as one factor in the separation, although neither party publicly discussed the matter in detail.
Jocelyn and Edinson’s relationship developed relatively quickly after their first meeting. By the time Cavani completed his high-profile move to Paris Saint-Germain later that year, the relationship had become serious enough for Jocelyn to relocate to France to be with him.
The move represented a major life change for Jocelyn, who left behind her hometown, family, and established dance community in Bella Unión for life in Paris and a level of public attention unlike anything she had previously experienced.
Her parents reportedly accompanied her on her first trip to Paris to meet Cavani, suggesting they supported both the relationship and her decision to begin a new life abroad.
Once in Paris, Jocelyn adapted to life as the partner of one of the world’s most prolific goal scorers.
She developed close friendships with Jorgelina Cardoso, the wife of Ángel Di María, and Wanda Nara, who was then the partner of Mauro Icardi, as they navigated similar experiences as partners of high-profile PSG players.
These friendships have reportedly continued over the years, even as Cavani’s career later took the family to Manchester, Valencia, and eventually Buenos Aires.
Despite nearly a decade together, spanning four countries, Jocelyn and Edinson have never formally married.
Children
The couple have two children together: their daughter, India, born on May 17, 2019, and their son, Silvestre, born on June 3, 2021. Cavani also has two older sons, Bautista and Lucas, from his first marriage, giving him four children in total.
The family has generally maintained a low public profile, although Cavani occasionally shares family moments on Instagram, including videos of young Silvestre showing an early talent for soccer.
They have both spoken about their strong attachment to Uruguay, describing it as the place where their hearts remain, even though Cavani’s career has taken the family to Italy, France, Spain, and, more recently, Argentina.
Career
Jocelyn Burgardt has built her professional identity around cultural and creative work, describing herself as a cultural manager.
In 2021, she led the launch of Nómbrame, a collection of seven children’s books exploring the meanings behind different personal names, whether chosen for religious reasons, family tradition, or admiration for a public figure.
Cavani participated directly in the project as a contributing author, writing his own book, La Luz de Mi Nombre, in which he explained that his name was chosen in honor of Thomas Edison.