Renowned architect Joaquín Torres is going through one of the most challenging periods of his life, marked by a series of personal losses and dramatic changes. In 2024, he buried his mother, and just a few months later, news broke of his separation from his husband, Raúl Prieto, after more than a decade together. On top of these hardships came the death of his father, the sudden passing of his brother-in-law only days later, and health problems affecting another sister-in-law. This string of tragic events struck the architect as he was trying to rebuild his personal and family life from the ground up.
Against this backdrop, a memorial mass for his father, Juan Torres Piñón, was held on December 4 at the San Francisco de Borja parish in Madrid. Family and close friends gathered to honor his memory, but Joaquín Torres himself was the most notable absentee, raising many questions.
The farewell ceremony brought together family and friends just days after the patriarch’s passing on November 24. Although his brother Andrés and other relatives attended the service, Joaquín decided not to be present. Later, the architect publicly explained his decision. He said he didn’t go to the funeral because he was feeling “emotionally overwhelmed.” Torres emphasized that, for him, the goodbye had already taken place: “I said my farewell to him just hours before his death,” referring to the time he spent at his father’s bedside in his final days.
According to Torres, the passing of both parents occurred in an already tense atmosphere, complicated by family conflicts and disputes over inheritance. These issues required his constant attention and emotional strength. His absence from the mass, as he explained, was a result of accumulated emotional exhaustion and a need to grieve in solitude, away from prying eyes.
The architect spoke candidly about his family situation and his own state, admitting that the series of events had completely drained him. “Just when you think things can’t get any worse, something even more terrible happens. I’m exhausted, but I still feel fortunate. I’ve always had a very easy life, but now everything has come crashing down at once. I need to put myself first, I want to surround myself with love, not hatred, but right now I’m boiling with anger—I need to cleanse my soul,” he shared.
Recalling his father’s final months, Torres described how the family organized his care: “He didn’t need for anything, my brothers and I took turns staying with him.” He also mentioned past tensions with his brother Julio and how recent events had forced him to reassess many things.
The sudden death of his brother-in-law dealt yet another devastating blow to the family, which was only just beginning to recover from the patriarch’s passing. According to the architect, this new tragedy forced everyone to reconsider their priorities and take on new responsibilities within the family circle.
Incidentally, Joaquín Torres is one of the most renowned and media-savvy architects in modern Spain. He is the co-founder of the prestigious A-cero studio. Torres has earned the nickname “the architect of celebrities” for his luxurious villa designs for football stars, politicians, and entertainers. His style is characterized by minimalism, an innovative use of space, and modern materials. In addition to his professional work, he frequently appears on television and in the press, openly discussing both his projects and his personal life.
