Concha Velasco facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Concha Velasco
Velasco at the 32nd Goya Awards in 2018
Born	Concepción Velasco Varona (1939-11-29)29 November 1939 Valladolid, Spain
Died	2 December 2023(2023-12-02) (aged 84) Majadahonda, Spain
Other names	Conchita Velasco
Spouse(s)	Paco Marsó ​ ​ (m. 1977; div. 2005)​

Concha Velasco (1962)

Concha Velasco (2013)

Concha Velasco (born Concepción Velasco Varona; November 29, 1939 – December 2, 2023) was a famous Spanish actress, singer, and TV host. She was also known as Conchita Velasco.

Concha Velasco had a very long career, working for over sixty years in movies, theater, and television. She won many important awards for her acting. These included two National Theater Awards from the Spanish Ministry of Culture. She also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Spanish Television Academy. In 2012, she was given the Honorary Goya Award by the Spanish Film Academy.

Some of her most famous roles were in movies like Red Cross Girls (1958) and Beyond the Garden (1996). On stage, she starred in plays like ¡Mamá, quiero ser artista! and the Spanish versions of Filumena Marturano and Hello, Dolly!. For television, she was known for Teresa de Jesús and Gran Hotel. She also hosted many popular TV shows.

The Spanish government honored her with several important medals. These included the Gold Medal of Merit in the Fine Arts in 1987 and the Grand Cross of the Civil Order of Alfonso X, the Wise in 2016.

Life Story and Career

Early Life and Dance

Concepción Velasco Varona was born in Valladolid, Spain, on November 29, 1939. When she was ten years old, her family moved to Madrid. There, she studied classical ballet and Spanish dance. She started her career as a dancer in an opera company. Later, she performed as a flamenco dancer and a revue dancer.

Starting in Movies and Music

Concha began acting in movies when she was just fifteen. At first, she played smaller roles. Her first main role was in the movie Red Cross Girls in 1958. In the 1960s and 1970s, she worked in movies, theater, and television.

In the 1965 film Television Stories, she sang a song called "Chica ye ye." This song became a huge hit! Because of its success, Concha Velasco became a popular yé-yé singer. She even recorded eight music albums.

Later Roles and Retirement

In the 1970s and 1980s, Concha started taking on more serious acting roles. One of her most successful TV roles was playing Teresa of Ávila in the 1984 series Teresa de Jesús. During the 1980s, she also became a well-known TV host. She hosted big New Year's Eve shows for several years.

On March 14, 2018, Concha Velasco announced that she would retire from the stage. Her last play was called El funeral. She officially retired on September 21, 2021, after her final performance of the play La habitación de María.

Concha Velasco passed away on December 2, 2023, in Majadahonda, Madrid.

Filmography

Movies

Stage Plays

Television Shows

As a TV Host

Awards and Honors

Awards

Concha Velasco won many awards for her amazing work in movies, theater, and television. Here are some of them:

Other Honors

• Gold Medal of Merit in the Fine Arts (Spain, 1987).
• Gold Medal of the Academy of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences of Spain (2003).
• Gold Medal of Merit in Labour (Spain, 2008).
• Dame Grand Cross of the Civil Order of Alfonso X, the Wise (Spain, 2016).
• Valladolid Gold Medal (City Council of Valladolid, 2018).
• Madrid Gold Medal (City Council of Madrid, 2018).

See also

In Spanish: Concha Velasco para niños