Biography for

Rocío Dúrcal
Date of Birth
4 October 1944, Madrid, Madrid, Spain
Date of Death
25 March 2006, Torrelodones, Madrid, Spain (lung cancer)
Birth Name
María de los Ángeles de las Heras Ortiz
Nickname
Marieta
Height
5' 5" (1.65 m)
Mini Biography
Rocío Durcal, was born María de los Angeles de las Heras Ortíz, in Madrid, Spain on
October 4th, 1945. At the age of 10, she took part in the radio show, 'Conozca a sus
Vecinos' ('Meet Your Neighbours'). In these shows, Marietta (her familiar nickname,
pronounced Mar-ee-etta) charmed the audience with her clear and melodic voice that
also made her a winner in many other radio contests that she participated in those years.

In 1960, when she not yet 15, she appeared in the TV show 'Primer Aplauso' ('First
Applause') where a Spanish movie producer discovered her. She took the stage name
Rocío Durcal (Rocío is a popular girls' name in Spain, after the place of pilgrimage
where 'La Romeria' - an annual festival of worship to the Virgin Mary - is held, and
Durcal is a town in the province of Andalucia in southern Spain). Her first movie was
'Canción de Juventud' ('Song of Youth') in 1961, the first of many musical comedies she
was to star in and that would gain her fame in Spain, Portugal, France and Latin
America.

At this time many other young singer-actors in Spanish films were popular, including
Raphael, Marisol, Ana Belén, Joselito, the Dúo Dinámico, Miguel Ríos, and the twin
sisters, Pili and Mili. Other films included 'Rocío de La Mancha', 'La Chica del Trébol',
'Tengo 17 Años', 'Más Bonita que Ninguna', 'Acompáñame', 'Amor en el Aire', 'Cristina
Guzmán', 'Las Leandras' and 'La Novicia Rebelde'.

In 1970, Rocío married the Philippine singer and composer, Antonio Morales , better
known as Júnior, a former member of the pop group, Los Brincos (considered at the
time as the Spanish version of The Beatles). Their marriage proved one of the more
solid marriages in the world of show business and they had three children: Carmen
María (born in 1971), Antonio (born in 1974) and Shaila (born in 1980), and one
grandson, Christian (born in 1997, the son of Carmen María).

In 1975, Rocío retired from movies to dedicate herself to her family but returned to
show business two years later when she recorded the first of many records of material
written by the Mexican singer-composer, Juan Gabriel. Backed by the Mexican band,
Mariachi América, these resulted in unexpected hits, popularity and awards, not only in
Spain and Mexico, but also in Latin America and in the Hispanic community of the
United States.

Rocío Durcal (ironically, being Spanish) revitalised the Mexican music scene in the
1970s and 80s and became even better known as a singer of 'rancheras' (traditional
Mexican song) in her later years than she had been as an actress at the start of her
career.

With thousands of fans worldwide and records sales in their millions, this Madrid-born
lady was, undoubtedly, one of the brightest stars of Spanish language show business.

In 2001, Rocio Durcal was diagnosed with cancer of the uterus that unfortunately was
later found to have spread to her lung and brain. Despite extensive treatment, Rocio died
on 25 March 2006 in Torrelodones, Madrid, Spain.
IMDb Mini Biography By: Francisca Guilarbigos
Spouse
Junior (15 January 1970 - 25 March 2006) (her death) 3 children

Trivia
She was discovered in a TV quiz, "Primer Aplauso", and debuted in the cinema in 1961.
She is a singer-actress.
Since 1999 her younger daughter Shaila Dúrcal works with her as chorister.
When she wasn't working at shows, she liked to cook for her family and friends at home
or dance at discotheques (especially Salsa and Meringue) or play with her grandson.
Her son Antonio Morales became the father of two children, twins, on August 30th,
2003.
Her stage last name, Dúrcal was chosen by Marieta herself when, blindfolded, she
pointed to it on a map of Spain.
Her daughter, Carmen Morales, has a son named Christian(b. 1996).
Juan Gabriel composed a song for her, based on a personal experience, mostly as a
tribute for her daughter: Amor Eterno (Eternal Love.).
Mother of Carmen Morales, Antonio Morales and Shaila Dúrcal.