Julio Iglesias Denies Abuse Allegations Raised by Former Domestic Workers
Julio Iglesias has publicly denied allegations that he sexually harassed and mistreated two former domestic employees, following the filing of a complaint with Spain’s National Court prosecutor’s office.
The allegations were made public this week through a press release issued by Women’s Link Worldwide, an international advocacy group representing the women, who are identified under the pseudonyms Rebeca and Laura. According to the organization, the women allege that while employed at Iglesias’ residences in the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas in 2021, they were subjected to sexual harassment, extreme labor exploitation, and invasive personal control.
In a written statement released in Spanish, Iglesias, 82, categorically denied the claims. “I deny having abused, coerced, or disrespected any woman,” he said. “These accusations are absolutely false and cause me great sadness.” The singer added that he intends to defend his reputation and expressed gratitude to supporters who have reached out privately. “I have never experienced such malice,” he wrote, “but I still have the strength to ensure that the truth is known.”
According to Women’s Link Worldwide, the complaint was submitted to Spanish prosecutors on Jan. 5 and asks authorities to investigate potential crimes, including human trafficking with the purpose of forced labor, servitude, and sexual harassment. The alleged conduct is said to have taken place between January and October 2021. The women claim they were required to work up to 16 hours a day without rest days, contracts, or freedom of movement, and allege their phones were routinely monitored.
In statements included in the advocacy group’s release, both women said their decision to come forward was driven by a desire for accountability and protection for others in similar situations. Rebeca said she hoped the complaint would help prevent further abuse and send a message that powerful figures are not beyond scrutiny. Laura echoed that sentiment, saying her goal was to ensure that “no woman ever suffers this kind of abuse again,” emphasizing that survivors should not be blamed for speaking out.
Amnesty International Spain has voiced support for the complaint and called on authorities to investigate the claims thoroughly. In a statement included with the filing, the organization said that violence and exploitation of domestic workers by employers constitutes a serious human rights violation and warned that insufficient protections leave such workers particularly vulnerable. Amnesty urged Spanish authorities to ensure that allegations involving forced labor and abuse are examined with due diligence.
Women’s Link Worldwide said the women decided to file their complaint in Spain because of the country’s legal framework for investigating serious international crimes, even when the alleged acts occurred outside Spanish territory. The organization has framed the case as part of a broader effort to highlight abuses faced by domestic workers, particularly women employed in private households abroad.
Iglesias’ statement did not address the specific labor-related allegations in detail but broadly rejected any suggestion of abuse or coercion. He described the situation as deeply distressing and said the accusations had caused significant personal pain. Representatives for the singer did not indicate whether his legal team would file a formal response to the complaint at this stage.
The Spanish Public Prosecutor’s Office has not publicly commented on whether it has opened a formal investigation. Under Spanish law, prosecutors may conduct preliminary inquiries before deciding whether to move forward with criminal proceedings.
Iglesias, one of the most commercially successful Spanish-language artists in history, has largely lived outside the public spotlight in recent years. Over a career spanning nearly six decades, he has recorded in multiple languages and sold hundreds of millions of records worldwide. He is the father of singer Enrique Iglesias and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019.
As the legal process unfolds, the case places renewed attention on working conditions for domestic staff employed by wealthy individuals across borders, and on the challenges faced by workers seeking accountability years after alleged abuse.
