Famous Career Changers

Letizia Ortiz’s career change – From Journalist to Queen of Spain

Letizia Ortiz career change is something you would read in a fairy tale. She left her career in journalism to become The Queen of Spain.

There are career changes and career changes. What about thinking to leave a career as a journalist to become the Queen of Spain? That’s what happened to Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano.

Becoming a journalist

Letizia’s ambition to become a journalist started at a young age, probably inspired by her father’s career. After completing grade school she studied journalism at the Complutense University of Madrid and received a master’s degree from the Institute For Studies in audiovisual journalism. Her career’s journey included working for the Spanish newspapers La Nueva España and ABC and hosting the daily news at CNN+ and Televisión Espanola.

Letizia Ortiz covering the US presidential elections

Thanks to her determination, passion and hard work, before turning 30, she was awarded the Madrid Press Association’s Larra Award.

From journalist to Princess of Asturia

Before meeting Felipe of Spain and changing not only her career but her destiny she had others important highlights in her career. In 2000, Letizia reported from Washington, D.C., on the presidential election, while the following year, she broadcast live from Ground Zero following the 9/11 attacks in New York. In 2003, she filed reports from Iraq following the war.

Later that year, (2003), to the surprise of many, her engagement to Felipe, the Prince of Asturia, was announced to the world. At the time, she had already left her career as a journalist behind her and immediately joined in the duties of her husband and travelled extensively through Spain representing her father-in-law.

In this video the reporter says “Letizia Ortiz, 31 years old journalist became The Princess of Asturias”.

In 2006, while holding a princess title, her solo agenda was announced for the first time. Her work focuses on social issues such as children rights, culture, and education. In late 2007, her solo agenda started to grow in the quantity of events she performed by herself. Since then, Felipe’s and Letizia’s agendas became more distinct and separate. As part of her work Letizia supported Spanish designers, such as Felipe Varela and Lorenzo Caprile to Zara and Mango.

Becoming Queen of Spain

On 19 June 2014, Letizia became Queen of Spain; as such, she holds the style of Majesty.


Did you enjoy reading Letizia Ortiz career change? You can discover more stories of famous career changers here.

Photo credit: LuisCarlos Díaz

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