Where Dr. Nicole Martin’s Relationship With Her Father Stands Now
The anesthesiologist had a therapy session with her father, Miguel, on the Season 5 finale.
The Real Housewives of Miami's Nicole Martin is turning a new leaf in her relationship with her father.
In Season 5, the board-certified anesthesiologist made the bold decision to participate in a therapy session with her father, Miguel, as cameras rolled. With her therapist Lisa serving as a mediator, Nicole shared that she felt abandoned for many years.
"My dad is an old school Cuban man and my dad is used to living his best life with little regard for anyone else," Nicole said.
As Nicole previously explained, her father, Miguel, was jailed for money laundering when she was younger, leaving her mom, Sirel, to raise her and her brother as a single mother. Though Sirel has forgiven Miguel for leaving her, Nicole has been less forgiving.
However, with the birth of her son, Greyson, the Housewife wants to make amends with Miguel once and for all.
Nicole Martin's Relationship with Dad Miguel
With her son, Greyson, getting older, Nicole sought to have a relationship with her father, who was mostly absent during Nicole's childhood. Her mother, Sirel, had moved on, so she felt she should too.
"I know this isn't going to be easy. But I know I've gotta let this go if there's any hopes of having, you know, a true bond with my dad," she told producers.
RELATED: Guerdy Abraira Has Lived All Over the World — Learn More About Her Upbringing
The tension was palpable as the father and daughter sat down for a meal together in Season 4. Almost immediately, her father, whom Nicole accused of arriving drunk, began telling her that he planned on having kids.
"Seriously? You already have four," she said, to which he replied, "That you know of."
Nicole, who has one son and hopes to have more children, was obviously hurt by the flippant remark. In her confessional, she shared, "I'm shocked. Am I being punked? I can't even believe this is real."
Though Nicole credits her father for "paying for stuff," she explained to him that she wanted him to be a more present father throughout her childhood. This, she said, is why she doesn't think he should have any more children.
"It's being there for the day-to-day. It's being there for the little things. And you chalk all of that up to nothing, like, 'It doesn't matter because you went to a private school. It doesn't matter because you had a Louis Vuitton when you were 2,'" she explained in the following episode. "Like, that sh-t doesn't matter."
In response, her father told her he didn't want to "change" and would never change, at which point Nicole walked out of the restaurant.
Alexia Nepola urges Nicole to Make Amends with Father
Following the disastrous encounter, Nicole spoke to the other Housewives about her strained relationship with Miguel, sharing that she was close to giving up. But Alexia Nepola suggested she change her approach, explaining that she'd give anything to be able to have her mother back in her life after she died on what was supposed to be Alexia's wedding day.
Seeking advice on the situation, Nicole spoke to her mother, Sirel, who candidly explained that it would have to be Nicole who changes if she wanted to have a relationship with Miguel.
"He also told me that in this stage in his life, his happiness comes first," Sirel said.
More than that, Sirel recommended that Nicole allow Miguel to bring his girlfriend around the family.
Nicole Martin has therapy with father Miguel
In a last-ditch effort to make amends, Nicole arranged for her father to join her for therapy at her house.
During the session, Miguel admitted that he's aware he tends to "misbehave," which has made Nicole reluctant to let him into her life. So, he'd rather stay away than change his behavior or apologize for mistreating Nicole.
"I don't think I should apologize for who I've been. I didn't think it was appropriate, as you were growing up, for you to be close to my craziness. I felt she was better off," he said.
Miguel recalled a time when Nicole was hit by a car as a kid, saying that he felt everything went wrong when she was in his custody. As a result, he said that he distanced himself from her.
"I had to because I didn't know how to do anything else any other way," Miguel explained.
This explanation gave Nicole clarity and helped her let go of the feelings of rejection she had long felt.
"To finally remove the foggy goggles that have been tainting my view of him for so many years, it's refreshing and it's kind of sad at the same time because I feel like I've missed out on so much because I've just been telling myself a story that was true to a certain extent," she shared.
After their session aired on TV, Nicole spoke to Andy Cohen about the process on Watch What Happens Live, revealing she and Miguel are now "in a much better place."
Nicole said that becoming a Housewife forced her to "confront" just how bad her relationship with her father was and pushed her to find a way forward.
"I don't think I would've done that if I hadn't been nudged," she admitted.
