Legendary Spanish Singer Raphael Honored as 2025 Latin Grammys Person of the Year

At the 2025 Latin Grammy Awards ceremony held on November 13, 2025, the legendary Spanish singer-songwriter Raphael, 82, was honored as the Person of the Year by the Latin Recording Academy. Raphael, who was diagnosed with primary brain lymphoma last year, looked cheerful and classy as he accepted the award from Gloria Estefan and Marco Antonio Solís.

During the ceremony, Raphael took to the stage for a memorable performance, accompanied by more than a dozen musicians who delivered a big band sound. He performed classics such as "Qué Sabe Nadie" and "Mi Gran Noche" with his characteristic power and interpretive sensitivity. Raphael, whose real name is Rafael Martos, was born in Linares in 1943 and raised in Madrid. He gained international recognition by representing Spain in Eurovision in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Considered one of the pioneers in the internationalization of Latin music, Raphael has had a long and illustrious career spanning decades. He was recognized with the Billboard Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022. The Latin Recording Academy's Person of the Year award honors musicians for their artistic achievements in the Latin music industry as well as their humanitarian efforts.