Sad day for the world of entertainment and interpretation. This Friday, March 17, one of the greatest artists in our country, Laura Valenzuela, has passed away at the age of 92. The unforgettable presenter, actress and model has died at the La Princesa hospital in Madrid, where she had been hospitalized for several days due to an infection that she unfortunately has not been able to overcome. At her side at all times was her daughter, Lara Dibildos, to whom she was very close and with whom she lived for several years at the family home on Paseo de la Castellana.
Rocío Laura Espinosa López-Cepero -that was her real name- was born in Seville on February 18, 1931. She began her artistic career at a very young age in the world of cinema and in a few years she became one of the most popular faces not only in the big screen but Spanish television, which was taking its first steps at that time.
The protagonist of films such as ‘La violetera’, ‘Aquellos tiempos del cuplé’ or ‘Soltera y madre en la vida’ Laura was one of the first presenters of TVE, where she presented the contests with the most audiences on the channel as well as sang and danced demonstrating his enormous artistic talent.
Married to the well-known film producer José Luis Dibildos since 1971 -although they met in 1958- the actress also made her first steps abroad, working with stars such as Alain Delon in ‘El tulipán negro’ in 1964, or with Sofía Loren in ‘Madame Sans-Gene’ in 1961.
Combining his successful film career with shows like ‘Galas del sábado’, he formed one of the most popular professional couples on the small screen with Joaquín Prat.
It was at the peak of her career, in 1971, when Laura decided to retire after going down the aisle with José Luis Dibildos to dedicate herself to her family, since her only daughter, Lara, was born just six months after her wedding.
It would not be until almost 20 years later, in 1990, when the presenter would return to work at Telecinco, which was then taking its first steps. In the private channel she would present ‘Tell me?’, ‘The nap is over’, ‘Give yourself a break’, ‘The mornings of Tele 5’ with José María Íñigo or ‘My dear Spain’.
Subsequently, he had different appearances on TVE, where he presented ‘Mañanas de Primera’, ‘Entre tú y yo’ or the 50th anniversary Gala of the public channel. In 2012, she received the Television Academy Award for her entire professional career and later, and after a 52-year career, she withdrew from the spotlight and from public life to enjoy his family.
The last time we saw her was in 2016, during the communion of her youngest grandson, Álvaro -son of Lara Dibildos and Álvaro Muñoz Escassi- for whom she truly adored, as well as for her eldest grandson, Fran, the result of their relationship. Lara with the former basketball player Fran Murcia.
