Manolete Facts for Kids

For the film, see Manolete (film). For other uses, see Manolete (disambiguation).

Quick facts for kids
Manolete
Personal information
Monument to Manolete in front of the bullring in Linares
Birth name	Manuel Laureano Rodríguez Sánchez
Nationality	Spanish
Born	(1917-07-04)4 July 1917 Córdoba, Andalucia, Spain
Died	29 August 1947(1947-08-29) (aged 30) Linares, Andalucia, Spain
Sport
Sport	Bullfighting
Position	Matador
Partner	Lupe Sino

Bullfighting career
Début novillero	1931
Alternativa	2 July 1939
• Place	Real Maestranza de Sevilla
Confirmación
• Godfather	Manuel Jiménez
• Witness	Rafael Vega de los Reyes

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal family name is Rodríguez and the second or maternal family name is Sánchez.

Manuel Laureano Rodríguez Sánchez (born July 4, 1917 – died August 29, 1947), known as Manolete, was a famous Spanish bullfighter. He is remembered as one of the greatest bullfighters of all time.

Manolete's Bullfighting Career
Manolete's Final Fight
Images for kids
See also

Manolete's Bullfighting Career

Manolete became very famous right after the Spanish Civil War. Many people consider him one of the best bullfighters ever. A film made in 1945 even called him one of the greatest.

His style was serious and calm. He did not try to show off much to the crowd. He was especially good at the suerte de la muerte, which means "the act of the kill."

Manolete changed bullfighting in important ways. He could stand very still while the bull passed close to him. Instead of making separate moves, he would stay in one spot. He could link four or five passes together smoothly. This made his performances very powerful.

He also made a special move popular. It was a pass with the muleta, a red cape on a stick. This move was called the "Manoletina." Bullfighters usually do this move just before they use the sword to finish the fight. Manolete had big successes in major bullrings across Spain. He also had important wins in Plaza Mexico, a famous bullring in Mexico City.

Manolete's Final Fight

Manolete died in August 1947. He was hurt by a bull during a fight. The bull, named Islero, gored him in his upper right leg. This happened as Manolete was killing the fifth bull of the day. This event shocked all of Spain.

Manolete was fatally gored in the town of Linares. He was fighting alongside a rising young bullfighter named Luis Miguel Dominguín. It is now thought that Manolete died after getting a blood transfusion. The blood he received was the wrong type for him.