Spanish singer Julio Iglesias has broken his silence on the sexual assault allegations made against him.
Earlier this week, two women accused the 82-year-old entertainer of sexually abusing them while they worked at his properties in the Bahamas and Dominican Republic in 2021.
The Spanish superstar denied the “absolutely false” allegations in a statement on Instagram on Friday.
“It is with deep regret that I respond to the accusations made by two individuals who previously worked in my home,” he wrote. “I deny having abused, coerced, or disrespected any woman. These accusations are completely false and cause me great sadness. I have never felt such malice, but I still have the strength to let people know the whole truth and defend my dignity in the face of such a great injustice.”
He added, “I cannot forget the many, many dear people who have sent me messages of affection and loyalty; I have found great comfort in them.”
The two women – a domestic worker and a physical therapist using the pseudonyms Rebeca and Laura – filed a complaint for alleged sexual assault and human trafficking against Iglesias earlier this month at Spain’s highest criminal court, and their claims are being investigated.
The allegations were made public on Tuesday following a three-year joint investigation by the Spanish news site elDiario.es and America’s Spanish-language TV network Univision.
The accusers claimed that they were subjected “to inappropriate touching, insults and humiliation… in an atmosphere of control and constant harassment”, and that Iglesias “normalised abuse” in a coercive and threatening environment.
The singer has been a household name in Spain since the 1960s and has sold millions of records worldwide. He is the father of singers Julio Iglesias Jr. and Enrique Iglesias.
