Cardona was born in Popayán, Cauca, Colombia on April 25, 1977. At the age of seven, Cardona's family nicknamed him "Manolo," which later became his stage name. He moved to Cali, Colombia when he was eighteen to study finance and international relations, but later moved to Spain to study film. Manolo's mother, Nancy Molano, is a psychologist, merchant, and astrologer. His father, Enrique Javier Cardona, was a politician and was the mayor of Popayán. Cardona has three brothers and one sister.
After completing his studies in finance and international relations in Cali, Colombia, Cardona decided to further his artistic education abroad. He relocated to Spain to pursue a degree in film.
In addition to his successful acting career, Cardona is also recognized for his philanthropic efforts and advocacy work. He has been involved in several charitable initiatives, particularly those focused on supporting children's education and well-being.
