41-year-old Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano made every woman’s dream come true when she wedded Prince Felipe de Borbon, now 10-years later one of Spain’s most beloved and fashionable women, is set to become the Queen of the joint! Her father-in-law King Juan Carlos, announced his abdication today and will be succeeded by Letizia’s husband, Prince Felipe de Borbon.
Now, lets get serious, we all know how royalty have it harder than we think, and it hasnt been exactly a walk in the park for the petit Letizia. Let’s take a look at some of the most interesting facts about her.
#1. She comes from a modest background.
Born 15 September 1972 in Oviedo, Principality of Asturias, Spain she was not born into nobility. She is the eldest daughter of Jesús José Ortiz Álvarez and first wife María de la Paloma Rocasolano Rodríguez –a nurse. She grew up in a a working-class family and her parents later split. She has two sisters.
#2. She is a former TV journalist
Letizia comes from a family of Journalist. Her father was also a journalist, her father’s second wife Ana Togores another journalist. Her paternal grandmother, María del Carmen “Menchu” Álvarez del Valle was a well known radio broadcaster in Asturias for over 40 years.
She attended the Complutense University of Madrid where she where she got her B.A and later a Master’s Degree in Audiovisual Journalism at the Institute for Studies in Audiovisual Journalism. She was awarded for her work which includes working for CNN.
#3. She was previously married
Ortiz had previously been married to Alonso Guerrero, a teacher and author; they were divorced in 1999. Luckily her previous marriage involved only a civil ceremony, which made it possible to say her “I Do” in the church without having the need for an annulment.
#4. Meeting “Prince Charming”
The couple met at a dinner party but started dating in 2002 when they re-encountered
while she was on assignment, covering a story about an oil spillage in Northern Spain.
#5. She had to quit her job to become Princess Letizia.
After becoming one of the country’s best-known newsreaders in the 1990s; the then 32-year-old left her job. In 2003, just months after she had been promoted to the position of anchor on the national news channel, she quit her job and days later the royal engagement was announced. The couple married May 22, 2004 with the whole world watching.
#6. The public generally approved of her but she struggled during first years to win the Spaniards.
When the news broke out of her engagement to the then 37-year-old Felipe, the Spanish people approved since she embodies the modern woman — independent, cultured, and accomplished in her profession, not to mention she made it possible for the “commoners” to dream. But the public sympathy didn’t come easy, she was often criticized as being distant and cold at public events.
#7. She has become one of Europe’s most glamorous royals.
The the slim, chic brunette regularly tops best-dressed lists in her own country and worldwide. She wears Spanish high street fashion brands such as Zara and Mango, as well as couturiers such as Felipe Varela and Lorenzo Caprile.
#8. Motherhood and Royal duties.
Letizia is the mother of the couple’s two lovely daughters, Leonor, born October 31, 2005 and Sofia, born April 29, 2007. Her duties as she became the wife of Prince Felipe included traveling extensively with her husband at first but her agenda’s were slowly departing from one another as her work will focus on social issues such as children rights, culture and education.
#9. Her sister committed suicide.
Her sister Érika Ortiz Rocasolano, committed suicide in February 2007. Dressed in black and pregnant with her second child, Ortiz broke down in tears as she briefly addressed a crowd of reporters after leaving a memorial mass for her sister.
#10. Health and plastic surgeries?
She has had few known health problems, although in August 2008 the princess had surgery on her nose, to straighten the cartilage and fix a breathing problem, according to the palace.
