This is Poland's new president: This is how Karol Nawrocki lives privately

Married to a tax official, a father in a patchwork family, staunchly conservative—and now President of Poland. Karol Nawrocki, 42, surprisingly won the runoff election on Sunday: With a razor-thin 50.89 percent, he defeated the left-liberal incumbent Rafał Trzaskowski, who received 49.11 percent.

On election night, Nawrocki appeared in front of the cameras with his family, including his seven-year-old daughter Katarzyna. At his side were his wife Marta and sons Daniel and Antoni. But what's the politician like off the political stage?

Nawrocki was born in Gdańsk in 1983. His father was a lathe operator and a member of the Solidarity trade union, while his mother worked as a bookbinder. Karol Nawrocki studied history in Gdańsk, received his doctorate in 2013, and later earned an MBA in strategy and project management. He worked for the Institute of National Remembrance (IPN) and directed the Museum of the Second World War in Gdańsk .

In his youth, Nawrocki was an amateur boxer and participated in organized fights between football fans. He has tattoos of Lechia Gdańsk and Chelsea FC. Reports indicate that he worked as a hotel security guard in his younger years, although some sources claim he was involved with the red-light district.

Nawrocki also came under fire during his presidential campaign when it was revealed that he had once taken over an apartment from an elderly man, to whom he had promised lifelong care. It later emerged that the man had been placed in a state nursing home without Nawrocki's involvement. In response to public outrage, he promised to donate the apartment to a charity.

Poland's new president: Married to a ballet dancer

He now lives a conservative family model: 15 years ago, the politician married Marta Nawrocka, who is considered a strong woman at his side. The 38-year-old is a lawyer, has been a tax official for 17 years, and specializes in tax law and illegal structures in the oil, alcohol, and gambling industries. In her youth, she studied at the State Ballet School in Gdańsk.

Normally, she stays in the background, as does the rest of the family. There are no influencer campaigns, no staged living room pictures – just a conservative family model. But in April 2024, she finally stepped into the spotlight – at a campaign event. "I always felt safe by his side," she said of her husband. "And I know he can bring security to Poland too."

The family also includes Daniel Nawrocki, 21 years old. He is not Karol Nawrocki's biological son, but is the son of Marta's previous relationship. Daniel currently works as a journalist at Gazeta Morska and is studying law and administration at the University of Gdańsk. In 2024, he ran for city council – but was unsuccessful. In interviews, he regularly emphasizes the influence of his "father," even though they are not genetically related.

Poland's new president: His son is a football player

Then there's Antoni, the second son, a talented soccer player for the storied club Lechia Gdańsk. And Katarzyna, the youngest of the family, just seven years old. She'll soon be starting first grade. On election night, she was the center of attention. "The daughter of the PiS presidential candidate became the little star of the big night in her father's career," writes the news site onet.pl. After the first results, she "burst with energy" and thus won the sympathy of Nawrocki's supporters.

Politically, Nawrocki presents himself as patriotic and pro-Christian, pro-NATO, and described as a Trump enthusiast. For the ruling center-left government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk , the election is a disaster, as the new president has a powerful veto, which he intends to use.