Beltrán Alfonso Osorio, 18th Duke of Alburquerque facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Most Excellent
The Duke of Alburquerque
GE OSL
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|---|---|
| Head of the Household of the Count of Barcelona | |
| In office 1954–1993 |
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| Monarch | Infante Juan, Count of Barcelona |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Beltrán Alfonso Osorio y Díez de Rivera
15 December 1918 Madrid, Spain |
| Died | 7 February 1994 (aged 75) Madrid, Spain |
| Spouses |
Teresa Beltrán de Lis y Pidal
(m. 1952; died 1969)María Cristina Malcampo y San Miguel, 15th Duchess of Parque
(m. 1974) |
| Children |
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| Signature |  |
Beltrán Alfonso Osorio y Díez de Rivera (born December 15, 1918 – died February 7, 1994) was a Spanish nobleman and a famous jockey. He was known as the 'Iron Duke' because he was incredibly brave and tough, especially when riding horses.
Beltrán was a strong supporter of the Spanish royal family. He was a close friend and trusted advisor to the Infante Juan, Count of Barcelona, who was the heir to the Spanish throne. Beltrán even served as the Head of his Household from 1954 to 1993.
Contents
Beltrán Osorio: The Iron Duke
Beltrán was born in Madrid, Spain, into one of the most important noble families in the country. His family, the House of Alburquerque, held many important titles in the Spanish nobility. His father, Miguel Osorio y Martos, was the 17th Duke of Alburquerque. His mother was Inés Díez de Rivera y Figueroa.
The Dukes of Alburquerque had been close to the kings of Spain for many generations. Some of his ancestors had even been in charge of the Royal Household. Beltrán wanted to become an engineer, but his plans changed when the Spanish Civil War started in 1936. He joined the cavalry and became a lieutenant colonel.
A Passion for Horses
Beltrán's love for horses began very early. He got his first pony when he was just five years old. On his eighth birthday, his father showed him a newsreel about the 1926 Grand National, a very famous horse race in Britain. From that moment, Beltrán dreamed of competing in it.
He quickly became a talented horse rider at his local club, Puerta de Hierro. He even competed in the 1952 Summer Olympics and later in the 1960 Summer Olympics.
His Amazing Jockey Career
Beltrán's career as a jockey began when he finished second in a race called the Sussex Stakes. Even though he was very tall for a jockey, he finally rode in the Grand National in 1952 as a "gentleman rider" (meaning he wasn't a professional jockey).
He tried to win the Grand National many times, even after suffering serious injuries. He raced in 1963, 1965, 1966, and 1973. By 1973, he already had 16 screws in his bones from previous injuries!
In 1974, he finished in a good 8th place. His last attempt was in 1976 when he was 58 years old. In that race, he had a terrible fall, breaking seven ribs, several bones in his back, his right wrist, and his thigh bone. He also got a severe concussion that put him in a coma for two days.
Because of his many injuries, the racing officials decided not to let him ride anymore for his own safety. People joked that if he kept going, the hospital would run out of screws, and he would run out of legs!
What He Did After Racing
The Duke of Alburquerque continued riding horses in Europe until he was 65. He retired with a very popular reputation, especially in Britain. People remembered him for his "courageous and injury-defying performances" in races, especially at Aintree Racecourse with his horse "Nereo."
When he passed away in 1994, a racing journalist described him as a very popular person in British racing. He was known for being tall and thin, with a distinctive nose and chin, looking like a traditional Spanish nobleman.
Family Life
Beltrán Alfonso Osorio y Díez de Rivera was born in Madrid. His parents were Miguel Osorio y Martos, the 17th Duke of Alburquerque, and Inés Díez de Rivera y Figueroa.
He first married Teresa Bertrán de Lis y Pidal in Madrid in 1952. She sadly died in a car accident in 1969. They had three children together:
- Juan Miguel Osorio y Bertrán de Lis, who became the 19th Duke of Alburquerque.
- Teresa Osorio y Bertrán de Lis.
- María Osorio y Bertrán de Lis.
He married a second time in 1974 to María Cristina Malcampo y San Miguel. She also held several noble titles. They had two children:
- María Cristina Osorio y Malcampo.
- María Rosa Osorio y Malcampo.
Titles and Awards
Beltrán Osorio held many important noble titles in Spain, including:
Dukedoms
- 18th Duke of Alburquerque
- 7th Duke of Algete
Marquessates
- 19th Marquess of Alcañices
- 11th Marquess of Balbases
- 13th Marquess of Cadreita
- 17th Marquess of Cuéllar
- 9th Marquess of Cullera
- 13th Marquess of Montaos
Countships
- 12th Count of la Corzana
- 16th Count of Fuensaldaña
- 16th Count of Grajal
- 18th Count of Huelma
- 18th Count of Ledesma
- 15th Count of la Torre
- 14th Count of Villanueva de Cañedo
- 12th Count of Villaumbrosa
He also received several important awards and honors:
Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece (1993)- Knight of the Order of Santiago (1982)
- Knight Grand Cross of Justice of the Order of Saint Lazarus
- Knight of the Order of Sports Merit
Heraldry
- Heraldry of Beltrán Alfonso Osorio, 18th Duke of Alburquerque
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Coat of Arms as Duke of Alburquerque (1942-1994)
See also
In Spanish: Beltrán Alfonso Osorio y Díez de Rivera para niños
