Sara Montiel was born on April 25, 1928, in Campo de Criptana, Spain, to Isidoro Abad, a peasant, and Maria Vicenta Fernández, a door-to-door beautician. She was christened Maria Antonia Alejandra Abad Fernández. At the age of 15, she won a beauty and talent contest held by Cifesa, a prominent Spanish film studio, and was signed to a movie contract.
Montiel's early career was marked by rapid success, with her debut film, "Te quiero para mí," released in 1944. She went on to appear in 14 films between 1944 and 1948, including the international success "Madness of Love." This led to a long-term contract in Mexico, where she established herself as one of the most popular film actors of the decade.
In the 1950s, Montiel worked in Hollywood, starring in films such as "Vera Cruz" (1954) and "Serenade" (1956). She also appeared in the critically acclaimed "Run of the Arrow" (1957) and the musical production "El último cuplé" (1957),which became the biggest box-office success in Spain's film history.
Montiel's success continued in the 1960s, with films such as "La violetera" (1958),"Mi último tango" (1960),and "La bella Lola" (1962). She also combined her film career with the recording of successful albums and live concerts in four continents.
However, by the 1970s, Montiel's interest in films diminished, and she retired from the industry in 1974. She continued to work in the entertainment industry, focusing on stage shows and television appearances.
In the 1990s, Montiel surprised everyone by branching out into television, starring in the mini-series "Sara y punto" (1990) and the comedy sketch show "Ven al Paralelo" (1992).
Throughout her career, Montiel won numerous awards, including the "Premio del Sindicato" (Spain's equivalent of the Oscar) for best actress, and was honored with the gold key to the city of Los Angeles, New York, Miami, and Chicago. She was also awarded the Ben Guiron Award from Israel and the Legion of Honor medal from France.
Montiel's personal life was marked by numerous marriages and affairs, including relationships with Nobel prize-winning scientist Severo Ochoa and Italian actor Giancarlo Del Duca. She adopted two children, Thais and Zeus, during her marriage to Jose Tous.
In her later years, Montiel continued to work and tour, releasing new music and appearing in television shows. She published her autobiography, which became a best seller, and won a new generation of fans with her outrageous duet "Absolutamente" with Fangoria's vocalist Alaska.
In 2011, Montiel appeared in her son Zeus's music video "Sex Dance" and continued to support his singing career. She also recorded love duets with baritone José Antonio Román Marcos and traveled to the United States for a short tour.
Montiel passed away on April 8, 2013, at the age of 85, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most beloved and iconic Spanish actresses and singers of all time.
