Fausto Xavier Aguilera: His Story, His Past, and His Bond with Christina

Have you ever wondered about the man behind pop superstar Christina Aguilera’s Latin roots? While Christina is loved around the world for her powerful voice and hit songs like Genie in a Bottle and Beautiful, her family story is not as bright. A big part of that story is her father, Fausto Xavier Aguilera.

Fausto’s life is full of interesting moments — from his early days in Ecuador to his years in the U.S. Army. He gave Christina her Latin identity, but their father-daughter bond has been complicated. In this article, we will talk about Fausto Xavier Aguilera’s life, his past, his family, and how his relationship with Christina has shaped her journey.

Who Is Fausto Xavier Aguilera?

Fausto Xavier Aguilera is best known as the father of music legend Christina Aguilera. He is an Ecuadorian-born former U.S. Army sergeant who once lived a life far away from the spotlight. Christina’s connection to her Latin roots comes from Fausto, even though their relationship hasn’t always been smooth.

While Fausto has mostly lived a quiet life, his story became public because of Christina’s fame. She has often spoken about him — sometimes with pride for his heritage, but also with pain about their troubled past.

Early Life and Family Background

Fausto Xavier Aguilera was born on November 4, 1949, in Guayaquil, Ecuador, a busy port city known for its culture and history. His parents, Fausto Aguilera and Edna Maria Monge Verduga, raised him with traditional Latin values. Growing up in Ecuador, Fausto was surrounded by music, family traditions, and a sense of strong cultural pride.

Not much is known about his early childhood, but his Latin upbringing played a big role in who he became as an adult. This rich cultural background is also something Christina has always held close, even when her relationship with her father was strained.

Fausto’s Life in Ecuador

Before moving to the United States, Fausto spent his early years in Ecuador. Life there was simple, but it shaped his character and identity. His roots are part of the reason Christina connects so strongly with Latin music and the Spanish language today.

Ecuador is known for its love of music, and it is easy to imagine how some of that cultural rhythm influenced Fausto. Christina has often said she remembers hearing Spanish being spoken at home, which kept her connected to her father’s heritage even after their family split apart.

His Military Career

Fausto Xavier Aguilera later moved to the United States and joined the U.S. Army, where he rose to the rank of sergeant. Being in the military meant moving around a lot. The family had to relocate to different states like New York, New Jersey, Texas, and even spent time in Japan.

While this life of constant moving was tough for the family, Christina has said she feels proud of her father’s service. She has even shared photos of him in uniform to honor not only him but all soldiers who protect their country.

Marriage to Shelly Loraine Kearns

Fausto met Shelly Loraine Kearns (then known as Shelly Fidler) during his college years. They fell in love and got married in 1980. At first, their life together was filled with excitement, traveling from place to place due to Fausto’s military job.

But things were not always easy for them. Shelly has shared in interviews that life with Fausto became difficult soon after their marriage. The challenges of moving constantly and other personal issues began to create tension between them.

Becoming a Father

Fausto and Shelly’s first child, Christina Maria Aguilera, was born on December 18, 1980, in Staten Island, New York. Six years later, they welcomed their second daughter, Rachel Aguilera, on June 6, 1986.

Fausto’s influence on Christina’s early life was strong, especially through music and culture. Christina grew up listening to Spanish and Latin music, something she has often said shaped her style as an artist. Even though their relationship has had struggles, Fausto gave her the cultural identity she is proud of today.

The Family Struggles and Divorce

Behind closed doors, life for Fausto’s family was far from perfect. Christina has spoken about the problems between her parents and the emotional pain she felt as a child. She shared that there were times of fear and tension in the household, and her parents often had serious arguments.

The marriage between Fausto and Shelly eventually ended in 1987. After the divorce, Shelly moved with Christina and Rachel to Pittsburgh to start a new life. Fausto, on the other hand, lived a quieter life away from the public eye.

Christina’s Childhood Trauma

Christina Aguilera has often spoken about the hard times she faced growing up. She shared that her father, Fausto Xavier Aguilera, could be very strict and sometimes harsh. Christina remembers moments of fear and pain that left a deep mark on her childhood.

She has been open about how these experiences shaped her personality. Instead of letting the past break her, Christina used it as fuel to become strong and independent. She has said that she never wanted to feel controlled by anyone and that this mindset pushed her to chase her dreams.

Attempts to Reconnect

Even though their relationship has been difficult, Christina once hoped for some peace with her father. In 2012, she shared that she was ready to meet Fausto and talk about the past. She believed that facing those memories would help her find closure.

Fausto Xavier Aguilera also tried to make things right. He sent Christina a letter admitting his mistakes and showing regret for what had happened. While they have not fully repaired their bond, these steps showed a desire for healing from both sides.

Fausto’s Influence on Christina’s Career

Despite their problems, Christina’s Latin roots — given by her father — have played a huge part in her music. She grew up listening to Spanish songs and Latin rhythms, which later inspired some of her biggest projects, like her Latin album Mi Reflejo.

Christina has often said that she feels proud of her heritage. Even during her tough childhood, the language and culture she learned from Fausto gave her a sense of identity. Many fans agree that this mix of cultures is what makes her voice and music so unique.

Where Is Fausto Xavier Aguilera Now?

After the divorce, Fausto chose to live a quiet and private life. He stayed away from the media and rarely gave interviews. For years, he has lived under the radar, focusing on his personal life.

There were rare moments when Fausto was seen with his family. In 2010, he was spotted shopping with his grandson Max. But apart from a few such moments, he prefers to stay out of the public eye.

Net Worth and Legacy

Fausto’s exact net worth is not known. He spent much of his life serving in the U.S. Army, and he is now retired. While he is not in the spotlight, his name is known because of his daughter Christina’s fame.

Christina Aguilera, on the other hand, has built an empire of success. As of 2025, her net worth is reported to be around $160 million. Even though Fausto is not part of her public life, his cultural influence is part of her legacy.

Final Thoughts

The story of Fausto Xavier Aguilera is both inspiring and emotional. He gave Christina her Latin roots and played an important role in shaping her early life, even though their relationship was far from perfect.

Christina has turned her childhood struggles into strength. She is now not just a global music icon but also a proud mother who works hard to give her children a better life. While Fausto lives quietly, his story remains a part of Christina’s journey.

• Miguel Angel Rosich
• Gilbert Hartmann LaPiere