Spanish star Julio Iglesias accused of sexually abusing two women

On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Two women have accused Spanish star Julio Iglesias of allegedly sexually abusing them while they worked as live-in employees at his Caribbean mansions, it has been reported. A domestic worker claims she was pressured into having sex with the Spanish singer, describing acts of slapping, physical and verbal abuse. A physiotherapist, who also worked for the singer, claimed she was subject to inappropriate touching, insults and humiliation during her time, in an atmosphere of control and constant harassment. The latest celebrity to be drawn into the MeToo scandal, Mr Iglesias faces allegations that he abused the two women in 2021 when the younger woman was aged 22. The assaults were alleged to have taken place in his homes in Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic and Lyford Cay in the Bahamas. open image in gallery Julio Iglesias performs live at the Royal Albert Hall in 2014 ( Getty ) The allegations were published on Tuesday after a joint investigation by elDiario.es newspaper in Spain and Univision television. The Independent has approached a representative for Iglesias. One of the alleged victims, called Rebeca – not her real name – says the Spanish artist, then aged 77, would often call her to his room at the end of the evening. “He used me almost every night,” she told elDiario.es and Univision Noticias. “I felt like an object, like a slave." She said the alleged sexual encounters almost always took place in the presence of another, more senior member of his domestic staff. Another woman, Laura – also not her real name – claims that Mr Iglesias kissed her on the mouth and touched her breasts against her will. elDiario.es and Univision claim they repeatedly tried to contact Mr Iglesias and his lawyer but received no response to questions sent by email, telephone messages, and letters delivered to his homes. The news outlets also tried to contact the person in charge of managing the house where the alleged assaults took place, but did not get a response. open image in gallery Iglesias departs the funeral of fashion designer Oscar de la Renta in New York back in 2014 ( Getty ) However, the woman whom Rebeca identified as her first supervisor at the mansion in Punta Cana dismissed the allegations as “nonsense”. The former manager said she had only “gratitude, admiration, and respect for the great artist and human being that he is,” describing Iglesias as “humble, generous, a great gentleman, and very respectful to all women”. Iglesias became a star in the UK when his song “Begin the Beguine” was a huge hit which went straight to No 1 in the UK charts in 1981. Iglesias has sold over 300 million records around the world. A prosecution spokesman at the Spanish National Court said: “In view of the news reports published today concerning Julio Iglesias and given the interest shown by the media, I would like to inform you that a complaint was filed with the Public Prosecutor's Office of the Audiencia Nacional on 5 January 2026. “Preliminary criminal investigation proceedings have been initiated, which, as you know, are confidential. “Given the nature of the allegations and reiterating the confidential (secret) nature of the public prosecutor's investigation, and in the interests of protecting the alleged victims, it is not appropriate to provide further information.”