Queen Letizia celebrates her birthday, and the love of a nation

Queen Letizia of Spain is 53 years old today, September 15, a woman whose remarkable journey from a middle-class upbringing to the pinnacle of European royalty continues to fascinate the nation.

Born Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano on September 15, 1972, in Oviedo, Asturias, she personifies the model of the modern monarch – intelligent, resilient, and deeply committed to public service. As Spain today reflects on her life, and it’s clear why she remains one of Europe’s most loved figures.

Letizia’s early years were grounded in a modest family environment. The eldest daughter of journalist Jesus Jose Ortiz Alvarez and nurse Maria de la Paloma Rocasolano Rodriguez, she grew up with her two younger sisters in northern Spain before the family relocated to Madrid.

Education was played an essential role; she attended La Gesta Public School and later the prestigious Ramiro de Maeztu School. Inspired by her father’s profession, Letizia chose to study journalism at the Complutense University in Madrid, where she earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s in audiovisual journalism. By her early 20s, she was already a rising star in the media world, and contributed to outlets like ABC and EFE news agency while she supported economically herself through her studies.

Letizia, accomplished journalist

Her career flourished as a broadcast journalist. She anchored for CNN+ and Television Española’s Telediario, as she covered major events including the 9/11 attacks and the Iraq War. In 1998, at age 26, she married literature teacher Alonso Guerrero Perez in a civil ceremony, but the union ended in divorce the following year – a chapter that would later fuel public curiosity about her path to royalty. Undeterred, Letizia’s professional skills led her to a fateful encounter in 2002. While reporting on the Prestige oil spill disaster in Galicia, she met then-Prince Felipe, heir to the Spanish throne. Their romance blossomed quickly and defied traditions as Letizia became the first commoner in over a century to marry into the Bourbon dynasty.

The couple’s engagement was announced in Madrid on November 1, 2003, and brought the city to a standstill. Their May 22, 2004, wedding at Santa Maria la Real de La Almudena Cathedral in Madrid opened a fresh era for the monarchy. As Princess of Asturias, Letizia adapted in no time at all, as she represented Spain abroad and supporting her father-in-law, King Juan Carlos I. The couple welcomed daughters Leonor (born 2005, now Princess of Asturias) and Sofía (born 2007).

Letizia’s ascent to queen

Letizia’s ascent to queenship came dramatically on June 19, 2014, when Juan Carlos abdicated amid scandals, raising Felipe to King Felipe VI. Overnight, Letizia became Queen Consort but maintained her elegant poise under despite intense public scrutiny. Her transition was seamless, marked by a dedication to causes close to her journalistic heart: children’s rights, women’s empowerment, education, and health initiatives for disabilities. Through the Queen Letizia Foundation and high-profile patronage, she has championed vocational training and cultural preservation and often visits schools and hospitals to advocate for the vulnerable.

What makes Queen Letizia so loved? Her relatability is key. As Spain’s first “commoner queen”, she bridges the gap between the palace and the people and draws from her own experiences, something which cultivates empathy. Spaniards appreciate her no-nonsense approach; she’s unafraid to address social issues head-on, from domestic violence to global poverty. Her style is a commanding mix of elegance and accessibility, favouring designers like Carolina Herrera while incorporating modern twists like white trainers, which has earned her “fashion queen” status, influencing trends worldwide.