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Julio Iglesias Celebrates 80th Birthday in Marbella Mansion
Spanish music icon, Julio Iglesias, recently celebrated his 80th birthday in his stunning mansion near Marbella. The celebration provided a rare glimpse into the life of the singer, who has chosen to spend his golden years away from the public eye. Having sold over 150 million records worldwide in 14 different languages, the ‘King of Latin’ has certainly earned his retirement.
Star-Studded Birthday Wishes for the ‘King of Latin’
The ‘Begin The Beguine’ singer received a special video featuring personal messages from some of the world’s biggest stars, including King Felipe of Spain. Tennis superstar Rafael Nadal and former PM Jose Aznar were among the 450 celebrities who wished Julio a happy birthday in a video that took his team six months to create. They hailed him as ‘the greatest Latin star in history’.
Julio Iglesias: From Football to Music
Before achieving international fame as a singer, Julio aspired to be a football player and a diplomat. At 19, he debuted as a goalkeeper with the Real Madrid first team in 1962. However, a car crash on the eve of his 20th birthday left him almost paralyzed for a year and a half. During his recovery, his nurse gifted him a guitar, marking the beginning of his illustrious music career.
The ‘Latin Lover’ and His Affairs
Julio has been dubbed the ‘Latin lover’ due to his well-documented affairs with beautiful women. His first love was Gwendolyne Bollore, a French woman he met during his stint in England in 1970. However, their affair ended when Julio met Isabel Preysler, a young Filipina woman, at a party. They had three children together, including pop star Enrique Iglesias, before separating in 1976. Julio is currently married to Dutch model Miranda Rijnsburger, with whom he has five children.
The ‘Illegitimate’ Son Controversy
Maria Edite Santos, a former ballerina from Portugal, claimed that she had given birth to Julio’s son, Javier Sanchez Santos. Despite a DNA test establishing a genetic link with 99.9% accuracy, Julio refuses to confirm his paternity. Javier has stated that he would renounce any inheritance just for his father to acknowledge his lineage.
The Strained Relationship with Son Enrique Iglesias
When Enrique Iglesias needed money to create his first album in 1995, he borrowed from his nanny instead of his father, causing a rift between them. Enrique and Julio have had a tense relationship since then, with Enrique even renouncing his inheritance of Julio’s €700m-plus fortune.
The Influencer Twins and Their Father’s Disapproval
Julio’s twin daughters, Victoria and Cristina, had dreams of becoming influencers but reportedly gave up after their father disapproved. They have not posted on social media for over a year and are rarely seen in the press.
Julio Iglesias: The English Connection
After recovering from his car accident, Julio traveled to England to study English and earn money by performing at pubs, singing hits of the day, including songs by Tom Jones and The Beatles.
The Fortune of Julio Iglesias
Julio has released an impressive 80 albums over his career, amassing a net worth of over €700 million. His property portfolio includes a 450-hectare estate in Ojen, Marbella, and a large part of Indian Creek island off the coast of Florida. He also owns a five-star hotel and 262 luxury homes in Spain.
