Letizia Ortiz Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano
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Queen Letizia of Spain, born Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano on September 15, 1972 in Oviedo, worked as a broadcast journalist and award winner before marrying King Felipe VI in 2004. She became queen consort in 2014. She has two daughters, Leonor and Sofía.
Names, aliases, and relatives of Queen Letizia of Spain — birth name, kin, and personal ties.
Queen Letizia of Spain by the numbers — life, work, and family.
Queen Letizia of Spain — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.
Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano grew up in Oviedo, Asturias, the eldest daughter of Jesús Ortiz, a journalist, and Paloma Rocasolano, a nurse and union official. She attended Instituto Ramiro de Maeztu and later earned a journalism degree from Complutense University of Madrid in 1995. Her family background in journalism heavily influenced her career path.
Letizia began her career at Bloomberg TV‘s Spanish division, then moved to CNN Plus and later Televisión Española, where she became the regular weekday news anchor. In 2000, she won the Larra Award for most accomplished journalist under 30. She reported from hostile environments including the invasion of Iraq, where she broadcast live from the frontlines. She also covered the 2000 US presidential elections and the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Letizia married Alonso Guerrero in 1998, but the marriage ended in divorce in 1999. She later married King Felipe VI of Spain in a Roman Catholic wedding at Almudena Cathedral in Madrid on May 22, 2004. They have two daughters: Leonor born 2005 and Sofía born 2007. Her sister Erika Ortiz Rocasolano died in 2007.
Queen Letizia has been awarded numerous honors including the Grand Cross of the Order of Charles III and over 30 grand crosses from countries worldwide. As queen consort since 2014, she supports various charitable causes. She is most remembered for her transition from award-winning journalist to modernizing queen consort, and for her role as a mother to the heir to the throne.
Every award, honor, and recognition received by Queen Letizia of Spain — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.
Little-known facts about Queen Letizia of Spain — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.
The announcement of her engagement to King Felipe VI occurred on November 1, 2003. She inherited the title Princess of Asturias after their marriage in May 2004, and became Queen of Spain when he ascended the throne in June 2014.
She married Prince Felipe in a Roman Catholic ceremony at Madrid’s Almudena Cathedral.
Her first marriage to Alonso Guerrero was a civil ceremony, which the Catholic Church does not recognize.
Before royalty, she worked as a television journalist, starting at Bloomberg TV‘s Spanish division, then CNN Plus, and finally Televisión Española as the weekday news anchor.
In 2000, she won the Larra Award from the Madrid Press Association for most accomplished journalist under 30.
She reported from hostile environments, such as broadcasting live from the frontlines during the invasion of Iraq, and covered the 2000 US presidential elections and the September 11 attacks.
As the eldest daughter of journalist Jesús Ortiz and nurse Paloma Rocasolano, she has two younger sisters, Telma and Erika.
She graduated from Complutense University of Madrid with a journalism degree in 1995.
After earning a master’s in audiovisual journalism, she began doctoral studies in Mexico while working for the newspaper Siglo XXI in 1996.
She has a passion for literature and music.
As the wife of King Felipe VI, she is the daughter-in-law of former King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía, and holds the title Queen of Spain.
Upon marrying Crown Prince Felipe, she acquired several titles including Princess of Gerona, Princess of Viana, Duchess of Montblanc, Countess of Cervera, and Lady of Balaguer, all of which passed to her daughter Leonor upon Letizia’s coronation as queen.
She gave birth to her first daughter, Leonor, on October 31, 2005, one day before the second anniversary of her engagement announcement. Leonor initially held the title Infanta of Spain, and later became Princess of Asturias and heir to the throne.
Her sister Erika, a literary agent, was found dead in her Madrid apartment on February 7, 2007 at age 31, leaving behind a daughter Carla.
Her second daughter, Sofía, was born on April 29, 2007 and holds the title Infanta of Spain.
She is the sister-in-law of Infanta Cristina and Infanta Elena.
Her sister Telma gave birth to her first child, Amanda, in March 2008, making her Letizia’s second niece.
She has been Queen consort of Spain since June 19, 2014.
Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Queen Letizia of Spain.
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