Dakar Rally winner Rafał Sonik announces birth of third son Remigiusz at age 60

Birth announcement and social media post

Polish rally driver and entrepreneur Rafał Sonik announced the birth of his third son, Remigiusz, on Saturday, 3 October 2026. The 60-year-old president of real estate developer Gemini Holding and Dakar Rally winner shared a photograph on Instagram showing his fiancée, Izabela Głogowska, holding the newborn while Sonik kisses her head. In the accompanying message, Sonik revealed that the family refers to the boy by the diminutive Remciu. He described holding his newborn son for the first time and observing the new addition to his family.

You are finally with us, and I, your dad, could hold you for the first time and feel the beating of your little heart. And it just reached me that our family has grown and become complete.

Family milestones across a decade

The arrival of Remigiusz marks Sonik's third child across two relationships. In 2016, Sonik became a father for the first time when his then-partner Karolina Sołowow gave birth to their son Gniewko, who is now nine years old. Following his separation from Sołowow several years later, Sonik entered a relationship with Głogowska, who is 24 years his junior. In October 2025, the couple welcomed their first child together, a son named Radosław. With the birth of Remigiusz in October 2026, Sonik reflected on parenting three sons and balancing affection among them.

Sonik addressed all three of his sons directly in the public announcement, emphasising parental support and care for each child.

Getting to know each of you, Gniewcio, Radzio, and you, Remcio, I feel even more strongly that love in a family does not have to be divided. As the family expands, the space in the heart grows and expands for each of you. I want you to grow up with the certainty that you have our support, our attention, and our love, which will never run out.

Dakar reflections and tribute to his fiancée

Sonik also dedicated a substantial portion of his statement to Głogowska, drawing a direct comparison between motorsport endurance tests and childbirth. The Dakar Rally winner noted that physical athletic trials do not compare to the demands placed on mothers.

We men can complete the Dakar, survive more than one crisis and think we know something about endurance, until we see the effort, determination, and strength of a woman giving life to a child.

He also thanked Głogowska for her role in their daily domestic life, expressing gratitude for her calm demeanor and care for their household. Numerous social media users posted congratulatory comments under the announcement.

Izutek, your peace, smile, and harmony with which you build the daily life of mine and our children gives me strength every day. Thank you, darling, for these miracles.

Relationship and engagement timeline

The couple had previously kept details of their relationship private before Sonik publicly confirmed his partnership with Głogowska a year prior. In June 2026, on the occasion of his 60th birthday, Sonik proposed to Głogowska. Shortly after the engagement, the couple publicly shared that they were expecting their second child together, noting at the time that the baby was due in October. The birth on Saturday fulfilled that schedule, completing the household of five.