Legendary Spanish artist Raphael has been named the 2025 Person of the Year by The Latin Recording Academy, honoring his extraordinary six-decade career, global influence, and contributions to Spanish-language music. The prestigious award will be presented during Latin GRAMMY Week in Las Vegas.
The announcement comes at an especially poignant time for the 82-year-old singer, who revealed in late 2024 that he had been diagnosed with primary brain lymphoma. Just months later, he astonished fans by confirming his return to the stage with a new tour.
Raphael will be honored on November 12 in a star-studded gala concert, where prominent artists and close friends will perform new renditions of his most iconic songs. The night promises to be a moving tribute to a performer who has continuously reinvented himself and remained a pillar of Latin music across generations.
"I feel deeply grateful to the Latin Recording Academy for this recognition, which I've dreamed of receiving for many years," Raphael said in an official statement. "It is the best way to celebrate so many years of dedication and love for music."
From Linares to the world
Raphael—the stage name of Rafael Martos , born in Linares, Spain, in 1943 —began his artistic career as a child. At the age of nine, he was recognized as the Best Child Voice in Europe at the Salzburg Festival. His international acclaim came soon after, with his participation in Eurovision in 1966 and 1967, and his historic performance on the American program The Ed Sullivan Show in 1970.
His legacy includes immortal classics such as " Digan lo que digan ", " Yo soy aquél ", " Escándalo " and " Qué sabe nadie ", many of them written by essential composers such as Manuel Alejandro or José Luis Perales. He has also starred in films such as Al puesta el sol (1967), El Golfo (1969) and Mi Gran Noche (2015).
The weight of the diagnosis
In December 2024, while filming a Christmas special for Spanish television, Raphael began experiencing speech difficulties and other neurological symptoms. He was admitted to Madrid's 12 de Octubre Hospital, where doctors diagnosed him with primary cerebral lymphoma , a rare form of cancer that affects the central nervous system.
"I wanted to say one thing, and another came out. I wasn't in control of the situation," Raphael himself recounted in an interview with El País in May 2025.
Thanks to drug treatment and without the need for surgery, the artist managed to recover from the symptoms that temporarily sidelined him from the stage. In April of this year, he announced his highly anticipated "Raphaelísimo" tour, which will take him to cities in Spain and Latin America.
"I'm fine, thanks to public health and all the doctors who have taken care of me," he said then.
Tireless at 82 years old
At 82, Raphael isn't just still active: he continues to fill theaters and arenas with the same energy as his early days. His most recent album, Ayer...aún , includes a posthumous duet with his greatest influence, Édith Piaf. He also starred in the documentary Raphaelismo , an intimate production that explores his personal and professional life.
"I'm looking forward to reuniting with everyone in November to celebrate together and return so much love in the form of songs. A huge hug and my most sincere gratitude," Raphael added about the recognition.
An honor reserved for legends
With this award, Raphael joins a list of Latin music icons who have been named Person of the Year by The Latin Recording Academy, including Carlos Vives , Laura Pausini , Rubén Blades , Shakira , Juan Gabriel , Marc Anthony , Joan Manuel Serrat and Juanes .
The gala, whose net proceeds will benefit the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation's charitable programs, promises to be one of the most anticipated moments of the upcoming awards show.
