Else Beekman
Julio Iglesias, one of Spain’s most iconic singers, is facing grave accusations of sexual misconduct and abuse of power. Two women who worked for him in 2021 claim they were subjected to sexual coercion, humiliation, and a deeply controlling environment at his private estates in the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas.
Their stories have been brought to light through an in-depth investigation by elDiario.es and Univisión Noticias, and a formal complaint has since been filed with the Spanish judiciary.
“I stopped feeling human”
One of the women, Rebeca (not her real name), says she was often summoned to Iglesias’s bedroom in the evenings. There, she says, he forced her to perform sexual acts without her consent, sometimes in the presence of a female supervisor.
“He used me almost every night,” she says. “I stopped feeling like a person. I felt like a thing.”
She describes not only the sexual abuse, but also the constant insults and the crushing sense that leaving was not an option.
The second woman, Laura, who worked as his physiotherapist, says Iglesias touched her inappropriately, humiliated her, and often made her the target of public ridicule. “He acted like it was a joke, but it didn’t feel like one at all,” she recalls.
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Iglesias ruled his household by fear
According to both women, life inside Iglesias’s homes was dictated by control. New staff members were soon faced with intrusive questions about their bodies and sexuality. Several employees reported being asked to show parts of their bodies or to discuss cosmetic surgery.
Both women also describe being subjected to medical exams, including gynaecological, pregnancy and STD tests, without their consent. The results were reportedly sent to supervisors or directly to Iglesias, not to the women themselves.
No contracts, little freedom
The women say they worked without written contracts, often for up to sixteen hours a day with few rest days. Contact with the outside world was limited: phones could be checked, photos were forbidden, and leaving the property was discouraged or outright denied.
Those who spoke up or resisted say they were met with anger, verbal abuse, or emotional manipulation.
“He made you believe that this job was the best thing that ever happened to you,” one woman says, “and that you were nothing without it.”
Stories backed by others
The women are not alone in their accounts. Journalists spoke with fifteen former staff members who worked at Iglesias’s homes across several years. Their accounts paint a consistent picture of a tightly controlled, hierarchical household where psychological pressure was common.
The women’s claims about the sexual abuse are supported by WhatsApp messages, medical records, and statements from other witnesses. A clinical psychologist confirmed that one of the women suffered from severe anxiety and depression after leaving the job.
A wider pattern emerges
Other former staff, including housekeepers and kitchen workers, also describe a tense and exhausting work environment, some dating back decades. Several mentioned verbal outbursts, degrading comments, and constant stress.
One woman who has come forward says she hopes her testimony will serve as a warning. “I went there looking for a job and a better life,” she says. “But instead, I found someone who broke me.”
Silence from Iglesias
Julio Iglesias and his legal team have not responded to repeated requests for comment. Sources close to the singer say he is shaken by the accusations and concerned about the impact on his legacy. He has reportedly been living in seclusion at his Dominican estate.
Who is Julio Iglesias?
Born in Madrid in 1943, Julio Iglesias became one of the world’s most successful Latin artists. Known for his romantic ballads, he has sold more than 300 million records and recorded music in 14 languages.
He is married to former Dutch model Miranda Rijnsburger, who mostly resides in Miami. Iglesias, meanwhile, has spent much of his time in the Caribbean. According to former employees, his inappropriate behaviour toward staff would stop when his wife was present.
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