Actress Carmen Sevilla died this Tuesday at the age of 92, as confirmed by her son to Europa Press. She passed away after being cared for at her home in Madrid and was transported from her residence in the city to a hospital when her health declined.
Spain’s cherished Carmen Sevilla: a life spent before cameras and on stage, celebrated by fans and colleagues
Sevilla had been living in a geriatrics residence since 2015, six years after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Her last public appearance was at the 20th anniversary premiere of Telecinco, a channel that had rejoined the small screen in late 1991. Her speech during the event was noticeably affected, a sign that led to her gradual withdrawal from television in 2010, a year after the diagnosis. The era of the neighborhood cinema left a lasting imprint on viewers.
In her personal life, she was born in 1930 in the Heliópolis district of Seville. She married a Spanish composer, arranger, and conductor, Augusto Alguero, who gave her a son and later passed away in 2000 after their first marriage ended. In later years, Sevilla would build a life entwined with family and art, becoming a beloved figure across generations.
Throughout her career, Sevilla acted in about 80 films across Spain and abroad, reaching Argentina, Mexico, France, Italy and even the United States. She built a multifaceted legacy as a dancer, singer, and television presenter. Her friendships with fellow stars such as Lola Flores, Sara Montiel, and Paquita Rico earned her the nickname often spoken with affection as Spain’s girlfriend.
Her show business journey began in 1942 as a young bailaora and singer. She appeared in her first film, Spanish Serenade, in 1947 and by July 1949 she secured her first leading role in Jalisco Sings in Sevilla with Jorge Negrete, a collaboration that propelled her toward a remarkable career. The 1950s marked a period of great success as she became one of the most sought after talents in cinema thanks to films directed by notable directors, including Richard Pottier. Early collaborations with Luis Mariano and films such as Andalusian dream and The Beauty of Cádiz helped define her star image.
Other notable titles from that era include El Sueño de Andalucía (1951), El deseo y el amor (1952), La hermana San Sulpicio (1952), Naughty Windmill (1955), Don Juan’s Love (1956), and Taming the Shrew (1956). The extraordinary Revenge (1957) directed by Juan A. Bardem earned the film a nomination for Best Foreign Language Film at the Oscars, marking a landmark achievement for Spanish cinema. Sevilla’s presence extended beyond national cinema as she joined international productions such as King of Kings (1961), where she portrayed María Magdalena, and a version of Mark Antony and Cleopatra in which she played Octavia alongside Charlton Heston. These roles helped place her among contemporaries like Frank Sinatra, Cary Grant, and Ricardo Montalbán.
The 1960s was a period when she also established herself as a singer, leveraging the momentum from the previous decade with a repertoire of coplas, boleros, tangos, and chotis that enriched her performances in films. Her filmography from that era includes acclaimed works and enduring music that resonated with audiences. In the 1970s, she reemerged as a central figure in a new wave of Spanish cinema guided by directors such as Eloy de la Iglesia. Films like Glass Ceiling (1971), Sex or Not (1974), and La loba y la paloma (1974) showcased her versatility, whether on screen or behind the scenes in collaboration with talented colleagues.
From Telecupón to Look Who’s Dancing: Carmen Sevilla’s most memorable television moments
Her television presence remained influential, with a continued impact on audiences across the years. She waved goodbye to audiences from the Puerta del Sol on multiple occasions, and her later appearances continued to attract attention, including well before she wished Spaniards a happy 1964 and in later years where her public appearances sparked discussion among fans and observers alike. Her return to acting came through Antena 3 with the series Ada Madrina, though the network eventually pulled it from air after four episodes.
Sevilla’s daily presence on Telecupón, from the end of 1991 to 1997 on Telecinco, cemented a beloved memory for many viewers. Phrases like the little sheep and the treasured coupon became part of collective memory, with models and hosts frequently recalling her warmth and charm.
Carmen Sevilla, the candor of Telecupón and the grounded star of the 50s and 60s
Over the years she tried various roles in Canal Sur and Canal 9 before finding a home with TVE, where she hosted programs such as Cine de Barrio from 2004 to 2010. Her contributions earned her multiple recognitions in Spanish cinema and television, including the Cinematographic Writers Guild Medal for Best Lead Actress for The Taming of the Shrew in 1995 and the Medal of Honor in 2003. Her awards list also includes the Gold Medal of Merit at Work (2001) and the Gold Medal of Merit in Fine Arts (2003), along with Fotogramas de Plata and a Microphone de Oro, among others. She was celebrated with honors across Andalusia and Madrid, reflecting a career that touched many communities.
Beyond acting, Sevilla’s name has been immortalized on streets in Roquetas de Mar, Marbella, San Pedro de Alcántara, and other locations, reflecting the impact of her enduring legacy on Spanish culture. A star on Madrid’s Walk of Fame stands as a testament to a life dedicated to performance, tradition, and the arts. (Europa Press)