Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano is the current Queen of Spain as the wife of King Felipe VI. Born on September 15, 1972, in Oviedo, Asturias, Letizia came from a middle-class family. She is the eldest daughter of Jesús José Ortiz Álvarez, a journalist, and María de la Paloma Rocasolano Rodríguez, a registered nurse and hospital union representative. Letizia has two younger sisters, Telma and Érika.
Letizia’s parents divorced in 1999, and her father remarried fellow journalist Ana Togores in 2004. She also has paternal grandparents, José Luis Ortiz Velasco and María del Carmen Menchu Álvarez del Valle, as well as maternal grandparents, Francisco Julio Rocasolano Camacho and Enriqueta Rodriguez Figueredo.
After attending La Gesta School in Oviedo, Letizia’s family moved to Rivas-Vaciamadrid near Madrid, where she attended the Ramiro de Maeztu High School. She then pursued a bachelor’s degree in journalism at the Complutense University of Madrid. Additionally, Letizia completed a master’s degree in audiovisual journalism at the Institute for Studies in Audiovisual Journalism.
During her studies, Letizia began her journalism career working for the Asturian daily newspaper La Nueva España. She later worked for the newspaper ABC and the news agency EFE. Letizia’s dedication and talent in journalism led her to work as a news anchor at CNN+ and Televisión Española.
In 1998, Letizia married Alonso Guerrero Pérez, whom she divorced the following year. It was in 2004 when her life took a significant turn. Letizia married Felipe, then Prince of Asturias and the son and heir of King Juan Carlos I. The couple has two daughters, Leonor and Sofía.
As Princess of Asturias, Letizia represented her father-in-law, King Juan Carlos I, in Spain and abroad. She embraced her role with grace and professionalism, supporting various causes and organizations. Letizia took part in numerous engagements, both within Spain and on the international stage, earning respect and admiration.
In June 2014, when King Juan Carlos I abdicated, Felipe became the king, making Letizia the queen consort of Spain. Since then, Letizia has continued to dedicate herself to her role, promoting Spanish heritage, culture, and social welfare. She has been actively involved in initiatives related to education, health, equality, and women’s empowerment.
Letizia’s presence and influence have made a significant impact on Spanish society. She is known for her elegance, intelligence, and determination. Letizia has used her position to raise awareness about important issues and to advocate for positive change. Her commitment to social causes has earned her immense respect and admiration from the Spanish people.
In her role as Queen of Spain, Letizia has become an influential figure not only in the country but also on the international stage. Her work and dedication have left a lasting impact on women’s history, as she has broken barriers and stereotypes, proving that women can play a vital role in leadership and societal change.
Awards:
– Order of Charles III (Spain)
– Order of the Sun of Peru