The personal life of renowned Spanish bullfighter Cayetano Rivera is once again under close public and media scrutiny. No sooner had speculation about his alleged connection with reporter Gemma Camacho begun to subside than a new figure emerged, sparking another wave of rumors. True to form, the matador remains silent and declines to comment on the gossip, but the flow of information about the woman with whom he is rumored to be in a romantic relationship continues unabated, prompting the public to engage in further speculation.
At the center of discussions was Cayetano’s meeting with a woman at a restaurant in Sevilla. It was later revealed that this was simply a lunch among mutual friends, which both of them attended. Some details came to light thanks to the matador’s cousin, José Antonio Canales Rivera, who revealed that the woman is ‘a Frenchwoman and rejoneadora,’ and that she and Cayetano share ‘a long-standing friendship.’ Soon the mystery woman’s name was made public—Lea Vicens.
Lea Vicens is one of the most prominent figures in the world of horseback bullfighting. She is forty years old and was born in the French city of Nîmes, which is known for its rich bullfighting traditions. From a young age, her father introduced her to the art by taking her to the local arena. Although Lea studied biology in Montpellier, her passion eventually became her profession. While attending university, she worked part-time at the arena and, thanks to her exceptional horsemanship, was able to transition into the world of rejoneo.
Her career is closely connected to Spain, especially Andalusia, where she has spent a significant part of her professional life. Lea currently lives in a small town near Seville, making her a neighbor of Cayetano. The two have known each other for many years, sharing common interests and professional passions, as evidenced by joint photos on social media.
However, despite all the speculation, those close to the bullfighter insist their relationship is strictly friendly. People close to Cayetano say he is “not very pleased” and even “upset” by the media frenzy. He has repeatedly stressed within his circle that he and Lea are connected only by friendship and a deep mutual respect for each other’s professions. Vicente Sánchez, director of Diez Minutos magazine, also confirmed that the two have appeared together publicly and spent time together, but said there is “nothing between them.”
It is worth noting that not long ago Rivera was actively linked to journalist Gemma Camacho. Rumors intensified after reports that the pair spent a weekend together in Italy. Camacho herself commented on the situation by saying they are friends, but vaguely added that they are “two adults, free and unmarried.” Her words only fueled speculation, which the bullfighter himself chose not to address. It seems that story never developed further and faded as quickly as it began.
Incidentally, Cayetano Rivera Ordóñez belongs to one of Spain’s most renowned matador dynasties. He is the son of the legendary Francisco Rivera, known as “Paquirri,” and Carmen Ordóñez. His maternal grandfather, Antonio Ordóñez, was also a celebrated bullfighter immortalized in the works of Ernest Hemingway. Cayetano was married for many years to well-known TV host and model Eva González; their breakup in 2022 became one of the most talked-about events in Spanish show business.
