Letizia Ortiz
why we like her?
With grace and beauty, Letizia Ortiz has charmed her way into the hearts of the men throughout her home country of Spain, and now, the rest of the world is beginning to take notice. A commoner-turned-future crown princess of Spain, she has become fodder for European newspapers, thanks to her "diamond in the rough" story. We hope the attention continues, as she becomes part of the Spanish monarchy, since this is one princess whose face we don't ever want to forget
why is she famous?
As an award-winning news anchorwoman and live reporter for Spanish television stations EFE and TVE, Rocasolano was always a popular personality in Spain. Of course, when news broke of her engagement with Crown Prince Felipe, her stock rose to the sky. Now finished with her journalistic duties, Ortiz is busy dismissing rumors that nude paintings with her likeness depicted on them are not her. Instead of delivering the news, she is making headlines as a stunning, pleasant princess (and queen)-to-be, whether she posed nude or not.
overall rating: 79
Despite the scandals and negative press that have invaded certain royal families in the past decade, much ink is still devoted to these elite people. For example, look at the amount of attention paid to Prince William and Prince Harry of England, and Prince Albert of Monaco. To a growing list of young, attractive royals, you can now add Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano. Sure, her name might be a mouthful, but the effort is definitely worth it. Just take a look at this Spanish babe for the reason why.
Her engagement to heir to the throne, Prince Felipe, has become the talk of Spain, from Bilbao to Seville, yet she has managed the stardom like a champ. Part of it has to do with her experience as a journalist, where the public got to know her quite well as an anchorwoman on the country's biggest news stations. When Ortiz weds Prince Felipe, however, she will become even more prominent thanks to her natural ability in the spotlight and attractive figure. All hail the princess indeed.
personality & talent: 78
Though not a fairy-tale princess with a "rags to riches" story to tell, Letizia Ortiz delights crowds just the same, wherever she goes. Even with the security of a glorious life ahead, she continues to be levelheaded and honest, promising to be as active a leader in the environmental and political stage as is her fiancé.
Furthermore, Ortiz is known as a no-nonsense woman and is as down-to-earth as they come, which, as Spanish newspapers have noted, will be a welcome attitude into the monarchy. She is seen as a modern woman who represents the new image of Spain's beautiful women: determined, strong-willed and in control.
Ortiz may become a great crown princess and public figure, but she was first known as a gung-ho journalist. Younger than most of her peers, she went on assignment time and again in her early career, and earned a Best Journalist award from the Spanish Press Association. Also established as an anchorwoman, Ortiz was a popular figure before her engagement to Prince Felipe was announced. Now, the qualities adapted to work in front of the camera suit her well in her new role as a royal.
sexiness: 80
There's no wonder Prince Felipe went from dating an ex-model to getting engaged to Ortiz. Her long brown hair, soft Spanish features and attractive body are second to none. The fact that she tones down her sex appeal now that she's part of the religious Roman Catholic monarchy only means we're more drawn to her. Ortiz may only become royalty following her marriage, but to us, she's already a princess.
accomplishments & fame: 71
After earning a degree in information sciences and a master's in audiovisual journalism from the Universdad Complutense of Madrid, Ortiz went to work in her field of study. She received an editing job with EFE, Spain's news agency, before joining the Bloomberg Financial TV network. This led to work on CNN Plus, which, in turn, helped her achieve her ultimate goal of newscaster and correspondent with Television Espanola (TVE).
Ortiz covered such major items as the 2000 presidential election in the U.S., the events of 9/11, and the war in Iraq, where she broadcast stories directly from the embattled country. For her efforts, she won the "Best Journalist Under 30" prize from the Spanish News Association.
In September 2002, she met Prince Felipe at a dinner party. The two hit it off immediately and began dating secretly. After the relationship became more serious, it was announced to the public in 2003 that the two were not only involved, but engaged as well. Since that time, Ortiz has been welcomed warmly by the royal family and media.
Things have not gone perfectly, however. While visiting Mexico during her university days, Ortiz posed for a Mexican painter named Waldo Saveedra. After her engagement was made public, Saveedra released a painting that depicts the future princess nude. Though it has been reported that the images are of Ortiz's face placed atop another woman's body, the news has made the royals in Spain quite nervous, and tabloids quite happy. Time will tell if this uncomfortable situation does any harm to Ortiz's and Prince Felipe's reputation when the wedding day arrives on May 22, 2004.
natural beauty: 82
Beautiful enough to be immortalized on canvas, Ortiz is an appealing princess. Her warm face, inviting dark eyes and long hair made her a popular anchorwoman, and will do just fine when she becomes a royal as well. It's too bad she denies posing nude in those now-famous Mexican paintings because we could point to some of the image's umm, finer points, as well.
personal style: 77
Dignified and classy, Letizia is a fan of stylish blazers and chic pants. Despite the constrictions that being an in-law to a sophisticated royal family, Ortiz manages to impress with a variety of attractive tops as well. Of course, we'd like to see her in a skirt and low-cut blouse, but we won't hold out hope.
biography
Born to Jesús Ortiz, a journalist and businessman, and Paloma Rocasolano, a nurse and union official, on September 15, 1972, Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano grew up in the middle-class city of Oviedo, in the northern region of Asturias, Spain. She is the eldest of three daughters and was the one to show the most interest in her family's "business"; both her father and grandfather had enjoyed decades of success working in journalism.
letizia gets master's degree
Being a bright student, however, Letizia decided to try out several programs before picking a career. After finishing secondary school in her hometown, she moved to Madrid to study at the Centre Ramiro de Maetzu. Ortiz finally settled on a major soon after, earning a bachelor's in information sciences at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid. An eager pupil, this beauty also received her master's degree in audiovisual journalism.
letizia poses for waldo saveedra
Instead of searching immediately for a job in Spain, Ortiz decided to travel before settling down. She flew to Mexico to pursue doctorate studies and work for a newspaper in Mexico City. It was there that she was photographed and befriended by an artist named Waldo Saveedra.
After serving as the influence for three of Saveedra's paintings (an action that would come back to haunt her) and serving her time as journalist, Ortiz returned to Spain.
letizia marries alonso guerrero
With impressive credentials, she did not have trouble finding a job in her line of work. She began her real journalism career with La Nueva España, an Asturian newspaper. Between this and her efforts at the editing desk of Agencia EFE, Spain's news agency, Ortiz met Alonso Guerrero. After a short relationship, they married, in a civil ceremony, in 1998. The nuptials lasted only one year.
ortiz awarded best reporter under 30
Following the divorce, Ortiz concentrated once again on finding work at Spain's best news services. Her initial efforts were quite successful, as she had stints with both the Bloomberg Financial TV network and CNN Plus, Spain's version of the news channel.
In 2000, Letizia settled down with Televisión Española (TVE). She became a renowned reporter after traveling to New York to bring news of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and visiting Iraq at the onset of President Bush's military campaign. The Spanish Press Association rewarded her with a Best Reporter Under 30 award.
letizia dates prince felipe of asturias
At a dinner party in the fall of 2002, all of Ortiz's plans would change, however. There, she met His Royal Highness Prince Felipe of Asturias, heir to the Spanish throne. Instead of being intimidated by this much-loved, and available, prince, Ortiz engaged him in conversation and soon, sparks flew. For one year, they dated in secret; Ortiz didn't even tell her parents about their involvement.
prince & ortiz announce engagement in 2003
The Prince and Ortiz finally announced their relationship on November 1, 2003, at a much-publicized press conference. To the great surprise of everyone, however, they also announced their engagement.
A commoner had never been in line to rise to queen as Ortiz would be, but the idea was not met with hostility, nor was the fact that she was once divorced.
ortiz's paintings controversy
Though her middle-class upbringing and past relationships were accepted by the Prince's parents, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia, they had a hard time swallowing the news that came in early 2004.
Waldo Saveedra announced to the Mexican press that he had painted the future princess nude and was going to reveal the piece of art in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on May 22, 2004, the day of the royal wedding.
letizia's $4.2 million home
Ortiz has been quick to point out that the paintings simply depict her face atop another woman's naked body, but nervousness has run through conservatives in the press and Spanish monarchy.
Still, Ortiz's stance as the archetypal Spanish modern woman has won her many fans and she still stands to become Princess of Asturias on May 22, 2004. Awaiting her is a $4.2 million, 11-bedroom home and a life in the spotlight.
It's pretty much a male point of view on the future crown princess, but I thought it was cute. THEY obviously seem to like her
link