The autobiography of Isabel Preysler, which hit bookstore shelves at the end of October last year, instantly soared to the top of the bestseller lists. A large-scale publicity campaign, culminating in the socialite’s appearance on the popular TV show ‘El Hormiguero,’ generated unprecedented excitement for the book. Readers eagerly immersed themselves in revelations about passionate romances, accusations against Julio Iglesias as a father, and, most intriguingly, the private correspondence with writer Mario Vargas Llosa. ‘My True Story’ became a commercial phenomenon; however, its triumph was overshadowed by a wave of outrage within Spanish aristocratic circles.
The first to openly express their displeasure were two members of high society: Silian Vilallonga and Olivia de Borbon. Their reaction showed that behind the glossy cover and bold headlines lay stories that touched the honor and dignity of influential families, turning a literary event into a true social scandal.
Silian Stella, Marquise de Castelbel and widow of the prominent aristocrat José Luis de Vilallonga, expressed her disdain for the very fact that such intimate details were published. She was particularly outraged by the release of Mario Vargas Llosa’s personal letters. The Marquise considers this step unacceptable and damaging to the reputation of an outstanding writer, who is portrayed in a rather unflattering light in the book. She questioned not only Preysler’s ethical standards but also the unhealthy public fascination with airing other people’s ‘dirty laundry.’
The reaction of Olivia de Borbón, daughter of the Duke of Seville, was no less fierce. Her anger was sparked by the way Isabel Preysler depicted her late mother, Beatriz von Hardenberg, who died in 2020. The memoir revives an old and unsubstantiated rumor that it was Beatriz who allegedly spread the gossip about Preysler’s affair with Carlos Falcó during her marriage to Julio Iglesias. Olivia considered this a cruel blow to her mother’s memory and an attempt to tarnish her name just to boost book sales.
The family of Mario Vargas Llosa himself has also joined the chorus of discontent. The writer’s relatives were shocked by the publication of his strictly private correspondence without any consent. Their lawyers are currently exploring the possibility of filing a lawsuit for invasion of privacy, which could lead to serious legal consequences for the author and publisher. As a result, the commercial success of the memoirs is now threatened by a scandal that continues to gain momentum.
