Martín and Nina Varsavsky are a couple whose story is defined by their global background, entrepreneurial spirit and family values.
After living in various countries, including Argentina and the US, Martín decided to build his home in Madrid. The property is located in the affluent area of La Moraleja, with views of the Sierra de Guadarrama mountains, and he named it ''Casa Vars''.
© PHOTOGRAPHY: FERNANDA NAVARRO & PALOMA ROJAS-MARCOS FOR FERNANDA & PALOMAYears later, after moving around the world, the couple renovated the house to adapt it to suit family life with their three children together, plus Martín’s four children from a previous relationship, who visit frequently. The house reflects their approach to life: very bright and functional yet warm. Nina laughs as she explains that it's impossible to place furniture against the walls because there isn't a single right angle in the entire house – and that’s precisely one of the many charms of this unique home, where the walls are filled with art, family photographs and souvenirs from their travels.
Martín, an Argentine with strong ties to America and Spain, is the son of the renowned astrophysicist Carlos Varsavsky, from whom he inherited a love of science and innovation.
Today, Martín is one of the world’s most renowned tech entrepreneurs. He has founded five companies that have reached ''unicorn'' status (privately held start-ups with a valuation of $1bn), and he currently leads some of the most cutting-edge biotechnological start-ups in the world. His work in the fertility industry has contributed to the births of more than 300,000 children.
His beloved wife, Nina, was born in Germany and has worked in fashion, investment and international development. These days, she focuses on projects that combine purpose and family, and she is passionate about the flamboyant Fería de Seville (Seville Fair) cultural celebration and dressage. After years of nomadic life, the pair settled permanently in Madrid in 2017.
Nina's perspective
Nina, how did you find this house?
© PHOTOGRAPHY: FERNANDA NAVARRO & PALOMA ROJAS-MARCOS FOR FERNANDA & PALOMA''Actually, it was built from scratch. Martín spent a long time searching for the perfect plot of land, one with views of the mountains from a higher vantage point. An architectural competition was organised among several firms, and a jury chose the winning proposal by aceboXalonso. I met Martín during the final year of construction; the house was finished in 2006.
''When we returned from the United States in 2017, we renovated a few spaces with the help of the interior designer Marta de la Rica.''
How would you describe the decor?
© PHOTOGRAPHY: FERNANDA NAVARRO & PALOMA ROJAS-MARCOS FOR FERNANDA & PALOMA''I would say that it's a mix of modern and cosy, with quite a few personal touches from our experiences of living abroad, lots of family photos and many works of art. We wanted it to feel like a lived-in home, not a perfect one.
''The children have always played all over the house: hide-and-seek, building forts with cushions...between the children, the cat and the dog, I never manage to keep the house immaculate, but that's life in a nutshell.
''It's not perfect, though I believe that if you love the life you have, you're already a winner.''
'There is no place like Spain or people like the Spanish. I never want to leave'
Why did you decide to settle in Madrid?
© PHOTOGRAPHY: FERNANDA NAVARRO & PALOMA ROJAS-MARCOS FOR FERNANDA & PALOMA''I grew up in Germany, studied in London and did an Erasmus exchange in Paris and Madrid. After finishing university, I moved to New York, where I worked for a fashion company and, later, for an investment agency focused on development projects in Africa.
''For three years, I lived in various countries, such as Sierra Leone and Madagascar, as well as in the Caribbean. When I no longer wanted to live out of a suitcase, I decided to accept a project in Spain...and that's where I met my husband.
''Before we had children together, we used to live all over the place: winter in Miami, spring in Madrid, summer in Menorca and autumn in New York. When the children started school, we moved to Miami full-time.
''We had to return to Spain for work reasons, and I felt quite sad about it; I was very comfortable in Miami. However, since our return, I've learnt to love [Spain] even more. After comparing it with different cultures and lifestyles, I'm now convinced that there is no place like Spain or people like the Spanish. I never want to leave again.''
Do you enjoy entertaining?
© PHOTOGRAPHY: FERNANDA NAVARRO & PALOMA ROJAS-MARCOS FOR FERNANDA & PALOMA''I adore it! We often host dinners or lunches with lots of people at home. Even so, I'm quite an introvert, although it may not seem like it. Being surrounded by people all the time tires me out a bit, but it doesn't affect my husband at all! Martínis much more extroverted than me.
''I'm lucky to have a great team at home who help me, but what truly makes me happy is being with my family, at peace, without a busy social schedule. I don’t know if it's my age or something left over from Covid-19, but I have less and less patience and tolerance for plans that don't make me feel comfortable.''
What does a normal day look like?
© PHOTOGRAPHY: FERNANDA NAVARRO & PALOMA ROJAS-MARCOS FOR FERNANDA & PALOMA''Like anyone else's: I wake the children, we have breakfast together and I take them to school. In the morning, Martín and I have our own schedules, but we always have lunch together, no matter what.
''In the afternoon, I collect the children from school; between homework, football and other activities, the day flies by. We always have dinner together, and then I put the children to bed. We live a quiet life.''
What else do you dedicate your time to?
© PHOTOGRAPHY: FERNANDA NAVARRO & PALOMA ROJAS-MARCOS FOR FERNANDA & PALOMA''I have several projects that I’m passionate about. The most recent was Menorca Tech Kids, a conference we organised at our Menorca estate – it was a weekend dedicated to teaching children aged eight to 18 how to be entrepreneurs or investors. This year was the first-ever edition: 50 children came with their families, and it was such a success.
''I don't like to leave the children alone, so it was the perfect plan to combine learning, family and work. Martín and I work together – that's how we met – and I think we make a good team.
''On a personal note, I adore horses and dressage. I train several times a week with two of the best trainers in Spain: Guillermo García Ayala and Verónica Graebeduenkel. One of my horses was selected to represent Spain at the Dressage World Breeding Championships for Young Horses in the Netherlands and also at SICAB in Seville.
''I'm passionate about everything related to horses. I'm German, but I'm convinced that in another life, I was an Andalusian gaucha. I love Andalusia, its tradition, its culture, flamenco... I feel very much at home.''
Martin's outlook on life
Martín, how would you describe yourself?
© PHOTOGRAPHY: FERNANDA NAVARRO & PALOMA ROJAS-MARCOS FOR FERNANDA & PALOMA''I am an entrepreneur who has spent more than 35 years creating companies in the energy, telecommunications and biotechnology spheres. Throughout my career, I have founded five unicorns: Jazztel, Viatel, Ya.com, Eolia and Prelude Fertility.
''Right now, I dedicate most of my time to the health and biotech sector, where I lead or am actively involved in several companies related to fertility, such as Prelude Fertility, the largest network of fertility clinics in North America; Overture Life, which develops automated systems for in-vitro fertilisation; Gameto, which usesartificial ovaries to mature oocytes ex vivo infertility treatments; and Vitara, which is developing an artificial womb to help to save the lives of premature babies.''
What does this house represent to you?
© PHOTOGRAPHY: FERNANDA NAVARRO & PALOMA ROJAS-MARCOS FOR FERNANDA & PALOMA''Casa Vars is the embodiment of my outlook on life. It is a blend of order, serenity and functionality, balanced by beauty and a deep connection to nature.
''I envisioned it as a place where living well fosters clearer thinking: not extravagance, but balance. This is a space where my family and I find clarity – a place where I can focus on the work I love, free from distraction or pretension.''
What importance does Spain hold for you?
© PHOTOGRAPHY: FERNANDA NAVARRO & PALOMA ROJAS-MARCOS FOR FERNANDA & PALOMA''Spain is my home. I found quality of life, culture, nature and emotional stability here. It is a country where people know how to live, something that is often forgotten about in the United States.
''However, my profession is centred in the US, where the speed, ambition and pro-entrepreneurial mindset remain incomparable. You could say I live in Spain for the love of life, but I work in the United States for the love of building businesses.''
Is it easy to start a business in Spain?
''Spain has extraordinary human talent but a regulatory and fiscal environment that suffocate sit. Starting a business here requires more patience than anywhere else. The bureaucracy does not understand the pace of innovation.
''In the United States, if something works, you can scale it up in weeks; in Europe, it takes years to obtain permits or validations. My advice has always been to create from Spain but to scale from the US or more agile markets.''
How do you lead your teams?
© PHOTOGRAPHY: FERNANDA NAVARRO & PALOMA ROJAS-MARCOS FOR FERNANDA & PALOMA''I believe that you don’t lead individuals, you lead culture. I create structures that foster autonomy, transparency and purpose. I don't seek to control, but to inspire. When everyone understands the mission, decisions flow naturally.
''Leadership, to me, consists of designing systems where people want to do their best.''
How do you decide which start-ups to invest in?
''I look for three things: genuine human impact, technological scalability and exceptional founders. I invest in sectors where science and technology can improve life, especially in biology, health and longevity.''
Did your wife, Nina, influence your interest in assisted fertility?
© PHOTOGRAPHY: FERNANDA NAVARRO & PALOMA ROJAS-MARCOS FOR FERNANDA & PALOMA''Yes, absolutely. By experiencing the process of starting a family together, I saw first-hand how hard, costly and emotionally demanding it can be. She showed me that behind biotechnology, there is human hope.
''Nina is my partner in life and in thought. She brings sensitivity, balance and a more empathetic perspective to my life that complements my rationality. She is my emotional anchor and my human filter.''
What motivated you to create the Varsavsky Foundation and donate $11m to connect Argentine students to the internet?
© PHOTOGRAPHY: FERNANDA NAVARRO & PALOMA ROJAS-MARCOS FOR FERNANDA & PALOMA''It was a matter of principle. I grew up in a family where knowledge was the greatest privilege. When I saw that thousands of young Argentines didn't have access to the internet, I felt it was like denying them the future.
''My donation was a way of giving back what education gave to me: freedom. It wasn't charity; it was building the infrastructure for access.''
What is your ambition for the coming years?
''To continue creating. I'm developing an app that uses artificial intelligence to care for people, inspired by the death of my best friend, Miguel Salís, which could have been avoided with AI today.
''When it comes to my personal life, I want to continue living in Spain, enjoying my family and working with the North American mindset: fast, free-thinking and focused on results.''
