Legendary Spanish singer Julio Iglesias, an 82-year-old international music phenomenon, stands accused of sexual assault by two former employees in a developing scandal that has captivated Spain and the Latin music world. The allegations, meticulously investigated over three years by Spanish outlet elDiario.es and US-based Univision, depict a pattern of coercive behavior and normalized abuse within the singer’s Caribbean households.
According to detailed testimonies, the incidents occurred in 2021 at Iglesias’s properties in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, and Lyford Cay, Bahamas. One accuser, identified pseudonymously as Rebeca, was a 22-year-old domestic worker who described being regularly summoned to the singer’s bedroom where she experienced non-consensual digital penetration. ‘He used me almost every night,’ she stated in emotional testimony. ‘I felt like an object, like a slave.’ Rebeca further alleges forced participation in threesomes with another staff member, physical violence including face-slapping, and genital grabbing.
The second complainant, a Venezuelan physical therapist referred to as Laura, reported similar experiences of unwanted sexual contact including breast touching and forced kissing. She described a controlling environment where Iglesias monitored her food intake, inquired about her menstrual cycle, and consistently threatened termination. ‘He always said I was fat and had to lose weight,’ Laura recalled, characterizing the workplace atmosphere as one of ‘normalized abuse.’
The investigative reports cite substantial supporting evidence including photographs, communication records, text messages, and medical documentation. Additional former employees corroborated descriptions of a threatening, high-stress working environment under Iglesias’s employment.
On January 5th, both women formally filed a legal complaint with Spain’s national court alleging sexual assault and human trafficking offenses—a significant development as this judicial body handles crimes allegedly committed beyond Spanish borders. The singer and his legal representatives have maintained silence despite repeated requests for comment from multiple news organizations. A property manager in the Caribbean dismissed the claims as ‘nonsense,’ while longtime associates including friend Jaime Peñafiel denounced the accusations as ‘absolute lies.’
The case has ignited political reactions across Spain’s ideological spectrum. Equality Minister Ana Redondo emphasized the importance of thorough investigation, stating on social media: ‘When there is no consent there is assault.’ Conversely, Madrid Regional President Isabel Díaz Ayuso declared her support for Iglesias, asserting that the Madrid region ‘will never contribute to the vilifying of artists.’
In a notable response, Iglesias’s biographer and publishing house announced plans to update his recently published biography to include the allegations while expressing ‘support and solidarity for the victims.’ This case emerges amidst heightened awareness of sexual misconduct allegations against powerful figures in Spain, following last month’s complaint against late former Prime Minister Adolfo Suárez.