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Letizia de EspanaQueen Consort of Spain, wife of King Felipe VI
Date of Birth: 15.09.1972
Country: ![]() |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Journalism Career
- First Marriage and Divorce
- Engagement and Wedding to the Prince of Asturias
- Children
- Awards
Early Life and Education
Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano was born on September 29, 1972, to journalist Jesús José Ortiz Álvarez and nurse María Paloma Rocasolano Rodríguez. She grew up with two younger sisters, Telma and Érika. Letizia studied at the state-run school La Gesta 1 in Oviedo before her family moved to Madrid. At the age of 10, she began participating in the radio program "El Columpio" on Antena 3. She completed secondary school at Ramiro de Maeztu in Madrid and went on to earn her bachelor's and master's degrees in journalism from the prestigious Complutense University of Madrid.
Journalism Career
During her university years, Letizia gained experience as an intern with "La Nueva España" (1992-1993), ABC, and EFE news agency. Upon graduating, she worked briefly for "Siglo XXI" in Mexico before returning to Spain and joining Bloomberg's Spanish affiliate. She later moved to CNN+. In 2000, she received the Larra Award from the Madrid Press Association, recognizing young journalists under 30 for their professional achievements. Letizia became the anchor of Telediario, the daily evening news program on TVE, in August 2003, having worked as a reporter for the network since 2000.
First Marriage and Divorce
On August 7, 1999, Letizia married Alonso Guerrero Pérez, her high school literature teacher, after dating for 10 years. The marriage, which was only registered at the town hall, ended in divorce in 2000.
Engagement and Wedding to the Prince of Asturias
On November 1, 2003, the Spanish royal family announced the engagement of Prince Felipe of Asturias and Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano. The couple married on May 22, 2004, in Madrid's Almudena Cathedral. The wedding was televised worldwide and attracted an estimated 1.5 billion viewers.
Children
Letizia and Prince Felipe welcomed their first daughter, Princess Leonor, on October 31, 2005. Their second daughter, Princess Sofia, was born on April 29, 2007.
Awards
Spanish AwardsLarra Award (2000)
Princess of Asturias Award for Communication and Humanities (2004)
Grand Cross of the Order of Civil Merit (2004)
Grand Cross of the Order of Charles III (2014)
Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic (2015)