With a new Netflix biographical series and an excellent biography recently published, the life of singer Julio Iglesias, who will soon turn 82, is once again a hot topic. He was a pop culture icon of the late 20th century, selling over 300 million albums in 16 languages. He conquered global stages like Carnegie Hall and Madison Square Garden, captivating audiences in Spain, Europe, Latin America, Japan, China, and the United States. He collaborated with countless stars, including Frank Sinatra, Diana Ross, and Stevie Wonder, and socialized with many celebrities.
Every July, Julio Iglesias is brought back as the subject of memes. His golden skin, hands clasped as if in prayer, and his majestic, Napoleon-like posture are etched in people’s memories. While once disparaged by intellectuals and ignored by critics, he achieved immense success with the love of the public. Though others may have had better voices or songwriting skills, Julio Iglesias became a superstar with his unique charisma, self-love, and boundless ambition. With an estimated fortune of $750 million, he is also Spain's wealthiest person.
A Successful Career Created by Chance
Julio Iglesias was not originally a musician by trade. He was a law student and a goalkeeper for the Real Madrid youth team. However, in his early 20s, a car accident led to the discovery of a spinal tumor, forcing him into a prolonged hospital stay of over a year and a half. As he spent time in despair, fearing he might never walk again, his father gave him a guitar. This gift became his entry into music.
After recovering, Julio Iglesias went around to record companies to sell his compositions to other singers, with no intention of becoming a singer himself. However, his song "La Vida Sigue Igual" was submitted to the Benidorm International Song Festival. The singer who was supposed to perform it contracted hepatitis, and Julio Iglesias had to take his place on stage. He won the festival, making his debut as a singer at the age of 25. He went on to great success, emerging as the most important Hispanic star by the mid-1970s. He sang in various languages, including Italian, Japanese, French, and Portuguese, and pronunciation or accent didn't matter. In fact, his awkwardness was seen as part of his Latin charm.
He later moved to Miami to break into the American market and succeeded with his first English album in 1984. During an era dominated by Michael Jackson and Madonna, Pepsi chose Michael Jackson, and Coca-Cola chose Julio Iglesias, proving his influence.
4,000 Women and a Divorce
For decades, Julio Iglesias was a symbol of the Latin playboy. He would sleep with a different woman every night and boasted that sex before a performance improved his low notes. Rumors circulated that he had been with as many as 4,000 women, and it was even said he carried a red Cartier notebook containing the contact information of over 3,000 women. His promiscuity was not heavily criticized at the time, given the social mores of the era.
In his youth, he married Isabel Preysler, with whom he had three children. However, their marriage faltered due to Julio Iglesias's repeated infidelity. His biographer, Ignacio Peyró, claims that an affair with Argentine actress Graciela Alfano during the 1978 World Cup in Argentina was the final straw that led to their divorce. Isabel Preysler is quoted as saying, "You proposed marriage to me many times, but I will only ask for a divorce once."
His former backup singers, the Trillizas de Oro (Golden Triplets), testified that during a tour, a woman would exit Julio Iglesias's hotel suite via the elevator as another would enter through the stairs. Whenever he ended a relationship with a woman, he would give her one of his Cartier watches as a gift. It is said that there were ten of these watches on his bedside table.
A Quiet Retirement and a New Life
Putting his playboy image behind him, Julio Iglesias has been with Miranda Rijnsburger for over 30 years. The two met at Jakarta Airport in 1991 and have five children together. Miranda leads a quiet life away from the public eye and has helped Julio Iglesias become a better father. Although they were in a common-law relationship, the founder of ¡Hola! magazine, on his deathbed, requested that they get married. They had their children baptized and officially tied the knot.
Julio Iglesias no longer chases the flashy spotlight. He doesn't attend awards ceremonies, appear on television, or perform concerts. He has refused to do things that might tarnish his legacy, such as collaborating with younger artists or appearing on reality shows. He chose not to grow old in the public eye.
After recent rumors of his declining health surfaced, Julio Iglesias denied them and announced that he is preparing a Netflix biographical series. At 82, he is still striving not to fade away.
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