Spanish music legend Julio Iglesias is under judicial investigation after two former female employees accused him of sexual assault and abuse while working in his homes in the Caribbean, in allegations that have sparked widespread coverage and political reaction in Spain and beyond.
The accusations emerged this week following a three-year joint investigation by Spanish outlet elDiario.es and US broadcaster Univision Noticias, which collected testimonies from numerous former staff members who worked for the 82-year-old singer between the late 1990s and 2023.
According to the published reports, one of the women, referred to as Rebecca to protect her identity, alleges that Iglesias repeatedly summoned her to his room after her working day and subjected her to unwanted sexual acts, physical aggression and verbal abuse during her employment. She told investigators she was pressured into sexual encounters and “felt like an object, like a slave,” describing a highly controlled environment.
Another former employee, identified as Laura, said she experienced inappropriate touching, insults and humiliation during her time at Iglesias’s estate, including being kissed on the mouth and touched on her breasts without consent. Both women claim the alleged incidents occurred in 2021 when they were employed at Iglesias’s mansions in Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic and Lyford Cay in the Bahamas.
The allegations also describe a workplace atmosphere marked by strict control over staff, including their movement, communications and daily routines, with claims that some managers were complicit in enforcing the singer’s instructions. Sources reported interviews with around 15 former employees who described isolated and stressful conditions.
On 5 January 2026, a formal complaint was filed with Spain’s Audiencia Nacional — the country’s top criminal court — prompting prosecutors to open preliminary proceedings. Judicial authorities have confirmed that the investigation is confidential at this stage, a standard step in Spanish criminal procedure before any charges are formally brought.
Iglesias, a global star with a career spanning more than five decades and record sales in excess of 300 million, has not publicly responded to the allegations, and his legal representatives have not issued a statement.
The case has already drawn reactions from Spanish political figures, with some calling for Iglesias to be stripped of official honours previously granted by public institutions, while others have underscored the principle of the presumption of innocence.
As the investigation continues, the allegations against one of Spain’s most recognisable cultural figures remain subject to formal judicial scrutiny, with potential implications for how powerful public personalities are held accountable under Spanish law.
