Spanish actor Paco Rabal carried on a secret affair with a prominent aristocrat, journalist José De Santiago revealed on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the star's death.
Although rumors of the relationship had long circulated as an open secret in Spain, Rabal never publicly confirmed the romance during his lifetime. De Santiago stated that the actor swore him to secrecy during a late-night conversation, leaving the identity of the noblewoman undisclosed even after her death.
Rabal, who died in 2001, was one of the most celebrated figures in Spanish cinema and theater. Best known for classic roles in films such as Viridiana and The Holy Innocents, the actor enjoyed a career spanning five decades and earned widespread international acclaim.
De Santiago recalled that his friendship with Rabal began decades ago after mutual friend and veteran Spanish journalist Raúl Del Pozo introduced them. During an early meeting shared over whisky and ham late into the night, Rabal confided the secret romance to the reporter.
Rabal told De Santiago that he had conducted a passionate affair with a widely known member of the nobility, describing her as wild in bed. When De Santiago asked for the woman's name, Rabal offered an ironic smile and refused to state it directly, though he provided enough specific clues for the journalist to deduce her identity.
Promises of secrecy
The actor insisted that De Santiago promise never to reveal her name, citing her immense public stature and importance. Rabal chose not to share the romance publicly because he believed it had no long-term future.
According to De Santiago, the noblewoman had a life partner at the time. Her relationship with Rabal was strictly confined to private nights of passion, which De Santiago suggested occurred because her partner did not fulfill her sexual expectations.
De Santiago confirmed that he will continue to honor his pledge and keep the woman's identity secret. He described her as a fun, kind, talkative, and remarkably down-to-earth person despite her high social standing.
Years after the late-night talk, De Santiago interviewed the aristocrat directly. Before parting, he asked her if the story of the affair was true. She responded by laughing out loud and maintaining a poker face, giving no spoken answer to the question.
A secret taken to the grave
No one in the noblewoman's immediate circle was aware of her involvement with Rabal. De Santiago later mentioned the affair to one of her sons, who was shocked by the revelation about his mother and swore he had never heard of it before.
With both Rabal and his aristocratic lover now deceased, De Santiago noted that the full truth of their hidden romance has ultimately gone to the grave with them.
