José José.

Margarita Ortiz Pensado, a concert pianist, and José Sosa Esquivel, a tenor in the National Opera of Mexico, raised their son in a musical home. Born February 17, 1948 in Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico, he grew up surrounded by classical and popular genres.

His brother, José Octavio Sosa Manterola, also shared this musical upbringing.

José José earned the nickname Prince of Songs for his romantic ballads. He made his film debut in 1972 with Un sueño de amor and later appeared in The Corruptor 1999 and Roma 2018.

In 2004, he received the Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on February 10, 2004. He also won the Billboard Latin Music Hall of Fame and Lo Nuestro Excellence Award. He played Don Erasmo Padilla García in the telenovela La Fea Más Bella 2006.

José José married Kikis Herrera Calles in 1971, divorcing in 1973. He married Anel in 1975, with whom he had a son, Jose-Francisco Ortiz. They divorced in 1990. In 1995, he married Sarita Salazar, with whom he had two daughters: Marysol Estrella Ortiz and Sara Ortiz. He lived with his wife Sara in Miami, Florida.

Throughout his life, José José faced health challenges including Lyme disease, facial paralysis, substance abuse, and depression.

On February 10, 2004, José José received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. That same year, he was honored with the Latin Recording Academy Musical Excellence Prize at the Latin Grammy Awards. He was named Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year and inducted into the International Latin Music Hall of Fame.

His nickname the Prince of Songs reflects his impact on romantic music in Spanish. His powerful ballads and contributions to Latin culture remain his lasting legacy.