Laura Valenzuela facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Laura Valenzuela
Valenzuela in 2012
Born	Rocío Espinosa López-Cepero (1931-02-18)18 February 1931 Seville, Spain
Died	17 March 2023(2023-03-17) (aged 92) Madrid, Spain
Other names	Laurita Valenzuela
Occupation	Presenter actress model
Years active	1954–2006
Spouse(s)	José Luis Dibildos ​ ​ (m. 1971; died 2002)​
Children	1

Laura Valenzuela (born Rocío Espinosa López-Cepero; February 18, 1931 – March 17, 2023) was a famous Spanish television presenter, actress, and model. She was one of the very first TV presenters in Spain. She appeared on the first broadcasts of Televisión Española (TVE).

In 1969, she hosted the Eurovision Song Contest in Madrid. This made her well-known across Europe. In 2012, she received a special award for her long career from the Spanish Television Academy.

Laura Valenzuela's Life and Career

Laura Valenzuela was born in Seville, Spain, on February 18, 1931. Her first job was in Madrid as a model for fancy, custom-made clothes. She started acting in movies in 1954.

When Televisión Española (TVE) began in 1956, Laura became one of its first presenters. From 1968 to 1970, she co-hosted a music show called Galas del Sábado with Joaquín Prat.

Hosting Eurovision

Laura Valenzuela became very famous for hosting the 1969 Eurovision Song Contest. This big music event was held in Madrid that year. In 1970, she also co-hosted the Spanish national selection show for Eurovision.

Acting and Family Life

Laura Valenzuela starred in many films from the 1950s to the late 1960s. In 1971, she married film director José Luis Dibildos. After getting married, she decided to take a break from her public career. She had a daughter, Lara Dibildos, who also became a TV presenter.

Return to Television

Laura returned to television in 1990. She hosted a show called Tele 5 ¿dígame? on the channel Telecinco. She also hosted the New Year's Eve celebration live from Puerta del Sol in Madrid in 1991 and 1992. Later, in 1996, she returned to TVE with a show called Mañanas de primera.

Laura Valenzuela retired again in the 2000s. She made a few special appearances, like hosting the Gala 50 años de TVE in 2006. This show celebrated 50 years of TVE. She hosted it with Anne Igartiburu and Paula Vázquez.

Laura Valenzuela passed away in Madrid on March 17, 2023, at the age of 92.

Selected Work

Films Laura Valenzuela Starred In

• High Fashion (1954)
• The Fisher of Songs (1954)
• It Happened in Seville (1955)
• The Tenant (1957)
• The Violet Seller (1958)
• Los tramposos (1959)
• Three Ladies (1960)
• Madame (1961)
• Eva 63 (1963)
• The Daughters of Helena (1963)
• Cyrano and d'Artagnan (1964)
• The Black Tulip (1964)
• Hagan juego, señoras (1964)
• Las noches de Monsieur Max (1966)
• Z7 Operation Rembrandt (1966)
• Amor a la española (1966)
• Demasiadas mujeres para Layton (1967)
• Las que tienen que servir (1967)
• Los subdesarrollados (1968)
• La dinamita está servida (1968)
• De profesión, sus labores (1969)
• Growing Leg, Diminishing Skirt (1970)
• Spaniards in Paris (1971)

Television Shows Laura Valenzuela Hosted

• Galas del sábado (1968–1970) – TVE – Host with Joaquín Prat.
• Contamos contigo (1968) – TVE – Host with Joaquín Prat.
• Eurovision Song Contest 1969 – TVE and EBU – Host.
• Festival de la Canción Española 1970 – TVE – Host with Joaquín Prat.
• Tele 5 ¿dígame? (1990–1992) – Telecinco – Host with Javier Basilio, Paloma Lago and Nati Abascal.
• Gala 50 años de TVE (2006) – TVE – Host with Anne Igartiburu and Paula Vázquez.

Awards and Recognition

Laura Valenzuela received several awards during her career:

• In 1969, she won the Antena de Oro award for Television Presenter.
• In 1971, she won a CEC Awards for Best Actress for her role in the film Spaniards in Paris.
• In 2005, she received an Honorary award from TP de Oro.
• In 2012, she received an Honorary award from the Iris Awards.

See also

In Spanish: Laura Valenzuela para niños

• List of Eurovision Song Contest presenters