Marta Chavarri Wiki: Biography, Husband, Age, Kids, Family, Death & More

Marta Chávarri Figueroa(Marta Chavarri) was one of the most famous and glamorous women in Spain in the 1980s and 1990s. She was born into a prominent aristocratic family, married two wealthy businessmen, and became a popular journalist and TV personality.

She was also involved in some of the biggest scandals of her time, which tarnished her reputation and led her to a life of seclusion. On July 21, 2023, she was found dead in her apartment in Madrid at the age of 62, leaving behind a son, a granddaughter, and a legacy of controversy.

Early Life, Young, and Family Background

Marta Chávarri was born on March 8, 1961, in Madrid. She was the eldest of four daughters of Tomás Chávarri del Rivero, a diplomat, and ambassador, and Matilde Figueroa y Márquez de Prado, a descendant of the Count of Romanones. She also had a close relationship with her uncle Raphael, a famous singer, and his wife Natalia Figueroa, who were like second parents to her after her mother died of a brain aneurysm when Marta was only 19.

Marta spent part of her childhood and adolescence in the United States, where her father was posted as an embassy counselor. She attended prestigious schools in Washington D.C. and New York, where she learned English and developed a cosmopolitan style. She also inherited her mother’s beauty and elegance, which made her stand out among the high society circles.

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First Marriage, Husband, and Rise to Fame (Career)

In 1982, at the age of 21, Marta married Fernando Falcó y Fernández de Córdova, the Marquis of Cubas and the brother of Carlos Falcó, who was married to Isabel Preysler, the ex-wife of Julio Iglesias. The wedding was celebrated in Plasencia, Cáceres, with more than 1,000 guests, including royalty, politicians, celebrities, and businessmen. It was considered one of the most glamorous events of the decade.

Marta became the new face of the Spanish aristocracy, earning the nickname of “Lady España” (Lady Spain). She appeared on countless magazine covers and social pages, showcasing her impeccable taste and charisma. She also gave birth to her only son, Álvaro Falcó y Chávarri, in 1983.

However, Marta was not satisfied with being just a trophy wife. She wanted to have a career of her own and pursue her passion for journalism. She started working as a reporter for various magazines and newspapers, interviewing celebrities and personalities from different fields. She also ventured into television, hosting shows such as “Marta y sus amigos” (Marta and her friends) and “La noche de Marta” (Marta’s night), where she displayed her wit and charm.

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Second Marriage, Kids, and Scandalous Affair

In 1989, Marta divorced Fernando Falcó after seven years of marriage. She soon married Alberto Cortina Alcocer, one of the richest men in Spain and the co-owner of Banco Central Hispano (BCH) along with his cousin Alberto Alcocer Torra. Cortina was also married to Alicia Koplowitz y Romero de Juseu, one of the wealthiest women in Spain and the owner of Construcciones y Contratas (CYC), a construction company.

The marriage between Marta and Cortina was seen as a union of power and glamour. They lived in a luxurious mansion in La Moraleja, Madrid, surrounded by art collections and exotic animals. They also traveled around the world on their private jet and yacht.

However, their relationship was not as happy as it seemed. In 1990, Marta was caught by paparazzi leaving a hotel in Vienna with Cortina while they were still married to their respective spouses. The photos were published by Interviú magazine under the headline “The photo that shakes Spain”. The scandal shocked the country and caused a huge uproar in the media, society, and business world.

Marta and Cortina divorced their partners and married each other in 1991. However, their marriage did not last long either. In 1994, they separated amid rumors of infidelity and financial disputes.

The Photo that Ruined Her Life (Family)

In 1995, Marta Chavarri suffered another blow to her reputation when another photo of her was published by Interviú magazine. This time, it was a nude photo taken by paparazzi while she was sunbathing on a yacht in Ibiza with her then-boyfriend Juan Abelló Gallo, a businessman and art collector.

The photo showed Marta’s genitals exposed, which caused a huge controversy and outrage. Marta claimed that the photo was taken without her consent and that it violated her privacy and dignity. She sued the magazine and the photographer, but she lost the case in court. She also received harsh criticism and mockery from the public and the press, who accused her of being vulgar and exhibitionist.

Marta never recovered from the humiliation and trauma of the photo. She withdrew from the spotlight and became depressed and isolated. She also developed a drug addiction and an eating disorder, which affected her health and appearance.

Later Years and Death

Marta Chavarri spent the last years of her life in a small apartment in Madrid, away from the media and society. She rarely made public appearances, except for some family events, such as her son’s wedding to Isabelle Junot, the daughter of Philippe Junot, the first husband of Princess Caroline of Monaco, in 2020. She also became a grandmother in June 2023, when her son and daughter-in-law welcomed their first daughter.

On July 21, 2023, Marta was found dead in her apartment by her maid, who called one of her sisters for help. The emergency services arrived at the scene but could not revive her. The cause of death was a brain aneurysm, the same condition that killed her mother. Her son Álvaro confirmed the news to the press and asked for respect and privacy.

Marta’s death was mourned by many people who knew her and admired her. She was remembered as a beautiful, intelligent, and charismatic woman who had a remarkable life full of highs and lows. She was also recognized as a pioneer of Spanish journalism and television, who broke stereotypes and barriers for women in her profession.

15 Interesting Facts about Marta Chávarri

• Marta Chavarri was related to King Felipe VI of Spain through her maternal grandmother, María del Pilar Márquez de Prado y O’Neill, who was a descendant of King Alfonso XIII.
• She was fluent in English, French, Italian, and Portuguese, thanks to her education and travels.
• Marta was an avid reader and lover of literature. She wrote a book titled “Marta Chávarri: Una vida en imágenes” (Marta Chávarri: A life in images), which was published in 2018.
• She was a fan of rock music and attended concerts by bands such as The Rolling Stones, U2, and Queen.
• Marta was a friend of celebrities such as Julio Iglesias, Pedro Almodóvar, Miguel Bosé, Antonio Banderas, Melanie Griffith, Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Madonna, and Michael Jackson.
• She was a supporter of various social causes and charities. She collaborated with organizations such as UNICEF, Save the Children, Amref Health Africa, and Fundación Aladina.
• She was an animal lover and had several pets throughout her life. She also advocated for animal rights and welfare.
• She was interested in astrology and numerology. She believed that her life was influenced by the number 8, which represented power and transformation.
• Marta was fond of fashion and jewelry. She had a collection of more than 300 pairs of shoes and dozens of watches.
• She had several tattoos on her body, including a butterfly on her ankle, a star on her wrist, and a heart on her hip.
• Marta had a passion for art and culture. She visited museums and galleries around the world and collected paintings by artists such as Picasso, Miró, Dalí, Warhol, Basquiat, Hockney, Koons, and Banksy.
• She had a taste for luxury and adventure. She stayed in five-star hotels and resorts, flew on private jets and helicopters, sailed on yachts and cruises, drove sports cars and motorcycles, skied on snowy mountains, dived in coral reefs, rode horses in exotic landscapes, and bungee jumped from bridges.
• Marta had a sense of humor and self-irony. She joked about her scandals and