20 Years Without Carmina Ordoñez: Addictions, Mysteries, and a Fulfilled Omen

It was 12 noon on a day like today 20 years ago when one of the household employees found the lifeless body of Carmina Ordoñez in her bathtub. Her death shocked the entire country, especially those who followed celebrity gossip. Born into a golden cradle, nicknamed 'La Divina,' she was ahead of her time and misunderstood. Under the motto "A mi plín, yo soy Ordóñez Dominguín" ("I don't care, I am Ordóñez Dominguín"), she lived life to the fullest and practically on the edge. She was one of the undisputed protagonists of the gossip press of her era, causing a sensation and capturing all eyes when she appeared on television. Her father, Antonio Ordóñez, was one of the most important figures in bullfighting, and her mother, Carmen Cristina González Lucas, was the sister of another great: Luis Miguel Dominguín. Her grandparents were the renowned bullfighters Cayetano Ordóñez and Domingo Dominguín.

The 'socialite' grew up surrounded by significant historical personalities without even realizing it. Ernest Hemingway, a writer and journalist passionate about bullfighting, was 'Uncle Ernesto' to her. Orson Welles, a film actor and director, became an inseparable family friend whom she affectionately called 'Uncle Orson.' In fact, he loved Spain so much that he requested to be buried on one of the family's estates.

Carmina also had no shortage of suitors. She married three times. Many said she was the most beautiful woman in Spain, but she fell for Francisco Rivera, 'Paquirri,' whom she married in 1973 and divorced six years later. They had two children together, Francisco and Cayetano. Afterward, Julián Contreras occupied her heart for almost ten years, and from that relationship came Julián Contreras Ordóñez. However, it was her last marriage that caused her many headaches and marked the beginning of her decline. She married dancer Ernesto Neyra in a relationship that lasted only two years.

'La Divina' appeared one summer night in 2001 on one of the most-watched TV shows at that time, 'Crónicas Marcianas,' during prime time to publicly denounce the abuse and mistreatment inflicted by Neyra, breaking one of society's taboos: gender violence. This came just a day after International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. She recounted an episode where her youngest son had to defend her at just 12 years old. However, society's reaction was not as expected; many doubted her story, accusing her of not reporting it to a court before giving a paid interview. Public opinion turned against her. Later, the court dismissed her complaint due to lack of conclusive evidence, failure to report at the time of incidents, and absence of medical reports documenting injuries.

The turning point in her life came when her mother died in 1982—a woman she idolized and with whom she had a close relationship. Carmina began drinking to cope with the loss and overcome the depression that ensued. Simultaneously, she developed a fear of loneliness that led her to use sleeping pills to fall asleep. A few years later, she became addicted to benzodiazepines. Although she consumed other substances, these pills were her true addiction; she could take between 25 and 30 a day. Once again breaking taboos on television, Carmina openly discussed her addictions.

She always said she wouldn't live past 50 years old—and that omen came true. The mix of alcohol with drugs and benzodiazepines proved lethal. The official cause of death was certified by the coroner around eight in the morning but remains surrounded by numerous mysteries. The official version is that she died from a heart attack. The deceased had a lip injury; there were drug traces in the bathroom; and it is still unknown who accompanied her that night since she spent the last month of her life very much alone. The media published all sorts of conjectures and rumors—even a false autopsy report. Even after death, Carmina continued to be judged. Her son Fran stated in an interview this weekend that drugs were to blame: "There was nothing mysterious to reveal. My mother died because of cocaine."