Suvechha Sarkar
Family tensions are nothing new on Netflix’s ‘Stranded With the Mother-in-Law.’ However, very few dynamics grip viewers like Monica Rocha, her daughter Nathalia Rocha, and her son-in-law, Diego Rodrigues, in season 3. After Monica lost her husband, she said that she expected her daughter and son-in-law to be more present for her, but she felt it wasn’t the case. On the other hand, Diego felt that his mother-in-law sometimes tended to play the victim. In his eyes, Monica’s constant references to the loss of her husband cast a cloud over every room she walked into. Yet, despite the emotional turmoil, he played the game strategically.
Tensions Arose Before Diego and Monica Began Rebuilding Their Relationship
Over time, Diego understood that repairing his fractured relationship with Monica was necessary not just for them but also to stay in the competition and win the game. After the excursion, they had a massive argument with the Chagas and the Cruz family. It raised the tension in the bunker, forcing Nathalia to push the SOS button. After a detailed conversation with Monica and Diego, the trio decided it was best for them to avoid conflict with anyone at that stage of the game. After the mother-in-law and son-in-law returned to the villa, the latter finally addressed the core issue of their conflict. Diego honestly expressed that he wanted Monica to live life on her own terms.
Monica was ultimately able to understand Diego’s perspective and admitted that she now feels stronger. During the puzzle challenge in episode 7, they gave it their best. However, Diego had to give up the challenge since he started feeling unwell, leading Monical to become emotional. Thankfully, their journey didn’t end there, as they got another chance to fight for the final spot in the Grand Finale. They successfully secured a place in the Finale, as the Machado and Lopes families felt they weren’t a strong team. Unfortunately, despite their efforts, Monica, Nathalia, and Diego failed to win the final challenge, bringing their journey to a close. However, they felt that the experience wasn’t in vain since all of them had finally bridged the gaps in their relationship.
Monica Rocha Has Rebuilt Her Life While Flourishing in Her Education Career
Monica Rocha’s life beyond the show has unfolded like a determined journey toward healing, purpose, and her newfound joy. Having built an admirable professional trajectory as an Education Director, she has long dedicated herself to shaping young minds. It is an endeavor that continues to give her life meaning. Her passion for education even took her to a meet-up event at Nova America Convention Center in August 2025, where she met with leaders in educational management. In recent years, Monica has also worked diligently on herself to strengthen the most important relationships of her life. She has made a visible effort to rebuild her bond with her daughter, Nathalia, and son-in-law, Diego.
In December 2025, Monica celebrated her birthday with Diego by her side. She even went forward to pay attention to the details and consider if he liked it. Whenever she has the chance, she always makes time for Nathalia. Moreover, Monica fosters a special bond with her son, Yago. Her grandchildren have become some of the radiant anchors in her life, filling her days with laughter and a sense of renewed hope. Outside of family and work, Monica indulges in her love for fashion and culinary adventures. She enjoys exploring new restaurants, experimenting with different styles, and cherishing the friendships that make her life a little brighter.
However, beneath Monica’s happy demeanor lies a woman who was left devastated when her husband, Jayme, suddenly passed away. According to her, he died just one month after he was diagnosed with cancer. It left a void in her heart that she still carries today. She often misses the last trip she took with him. While expressing her sorrow over the matter, she wrote, “This was our last trip together. You were and will always be my one and only love. This is our love story… Till death do us part. Jayme iloveyou.” As of writing, Monica continues to honor his memory with grace, allowing his legacy to live on.
Nathalia Rocha Considers Her Family Her Biggest Pillar of Support
Nathalia Rocha is recognized for her sharp mind and steady ambition, having established a strong career as a Financial Manager. In recent years, she has also begun redefining herself in a modern way by building her social media presence, which reflects the many layers of her life. With more than 8.1K followers on Instagram, Nathalia has slowly transformed her page into a vibrant showcase of her skincare routine, polished looks, and every moment that defines her. In November 2025, she collaborated with All Home Italínea on the platform. While scrolling through Nathalia’s feed, one thing becomes instantly clear: love is an integral part of her life. She and her husband, Diego, share a bond that feels both grounding and joyful. Whether it be traveling or sharing simple moments together, their affection is undeniable.
Nathalia’s heart even extends beyond her marriage. She remains deeply connected to her brother, Yago, and cherishes every moment spent with him. Additionally, she treasures her role as an aunt and always showers her nephew with incredible love and affection. Additionally, her bond with her mother continues to improve with every passing day, which is evident from the way they now walk hand in hand beside each other. Nathalia also holds her friends close to her heart and expresses her gratitude for the support they bring to her life. Nathalia is a music enthusiast, which became evident during her recent visit to Ivete Clareou’s concert in November 2025. Whenever she feels overwhelmed by life, she finds herself near the sea, immersing her soul in the sound of the crashing waves.
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Diego Rodrigues is Thriving as a Real Estate Agent and Paid-Media Manager
Diego Rodrigues has steadily carved out a name for himself in the professional world defined by ambition and versatility. As a Paid-Media Manager, he has mastered the fast-paced stream of digital strategy. However, his dreams didn’t stop there as he discovered a second calling in the world of real estate. Diego eventually earned his certification in August 2025. Currently, he is also a luxury Real Estate Agent based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. What makes it more impressive is that he often makes his way onto the stage during several conferences as a speaker. Although his profession is an integral part of his life, his heart beats the strongest for his wife and soulmate, Nathalia. Their love is the steady pillar that grounds him through every chapter. Together, the couple has explored different corners of their country, Brazil.
Some of them include the charm of Salvador and the peaceful beauty of Campos do Jordão. Diego always expresses his love for Nathalia and makes her feel special by taking her on long drives and even planning romantic dates. During the show, his relationship with his mother-in-law, Monica, also came into focus. Although their relationship began on shaky grounds, by the end of the show, they had experienced a genuine shift when they opened up to each other, starting to heal the old wounds. Since they continue to share photos together, it appears they have grown even closer. In his leisure, Diego feels more like himself amid nature, especially near waterfalls. He further enjoys basking in the sun on the beautiful beaches, escaping into the blue waters whenever life gets too loud.
