Spanish singer Julio Iglesias has reportedly been accused of sexual assault by two women who once worked for him.
Spanish newspaper elDiario and Univision Noticias reported on Tuesday, January 13, that two women came forward claiming they were sexually assaulted by Iglesias, 82, while working for the singer at two of his homes in the Caribbean. One woman was a domestic worker, while the other was a physical therapist.
The domestic worker, who is referred to under the pseudonym Rebecca, claimed that she was pressured into having sex with Iglesias and allegedly endured acts of slapping, physical and verbal abuse. Rebecca, who was 22 years old when she worked for the Grammy winner, claimed that Iglesias frequently called her into his room at the end of the day.
“He used me almost every night,” Rebecca told elDiario.es and Univision Noticias. “I felt like an object, like a slave.”
The physical therapist alleged that she experienced inappropriate touching, insults, humiliation and constant harassment. A woman who goes by the name Laura claimed that Iglesias made an unwanted advance towards her.
“We were on the beach and he came up to me and touched my nipples,” Laura claimed to the outlets.
While Iglesias has not addressed the allegations, an additional worker who previously served as managerial support at his home in Punta Cana called the women’s claims “nonsense.”
The former supervisor told the outlets she had “gratitude, admiration, and respect for the great artist and human being that he is,” calling Iglesias “humble, generous, a great gentleman, and very respectful to all women.”
According to the Independent, a prosecution spokesman at the Spanish National Court said that “a complaint was filed with the Public Prosecutor’s Office” earlier this month.
“Preliminary criminal investigation proceedings have been initiated, which, as you know, are confidential,” the spokesperson said. “Given the nature of the allegations and reiterating the confidential (secret) nature of the public prosecutor’s investigation, and in the interests of protecting the alleged victims, it is not appropriate to provide further information.”
Us Weekly has reached out for comment.
Iglesias is best known for his songs “Spanish Girl,” “Begin the Beguine,” and “Con la Misma Piedra,” as well as being the father to musician Enrique Iglesias. He is recognized as one of the most commercially successful Spanish singers in the world, as the performer has sold more than 300 million records worldwide. Julio also has earned several awards, including a Grammy, Latin Grammy, World Music Award, Billboard Music Award, American Music Award and Lo Nuestro Award.
The musician was previously married to Isabel Preysler. The pair wed in 1971 and went on to welcome three children Chábeli, Julio Jr. and Enrique. In 1979, Julio and Preysler split and their marriage was annulled the following year.
Julio later moved on with Dutch model Miranda Rijnsburger, who is 22 years his junior. The couple tied the knot in August 2010 in a small church in Marbella, Spain. They share five children: Miguel, Rodrigo, twins Cristina and Victoria as well as Guillermo.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
