Behind the glamorous facade of one of Spain’s most famous socialites, Isabel Preysler, lies a story marked by dramatic trials and profound personal tragedies. In her candid memoirs, which became a bestseller overnight, she lifted the veil on events that nearly tore her family apart. A special place in these recollections is given to her eldest daughter, Chábeli Iglesias, whose life once hung by a thread.
The most agonizing moment for Isabel came on June 20, 1999. That day could have been fatal for Chábeli. She was driving to dinner with her then-partner, James Miller, when their path was blocked by a car whose driver ignored a stop sign. The crash was so severe that, even though she was wearing her seatbelt, Chábeli was thrown from the car through the open sunroof. The aftermath was horrific: numerous head injuries that required countless stitches. For Isabel Preysler, news of the accident came as a true shock—one of those moments that makes the ground fall away beneath your feet.
Fortunately, Chábeli made a full recovery without any serious long-term health consequences. However, this incident became a turning point in her personal life. Her relationship with James Miller ended after the accident. Having gone through a difficult rehabilitation period under her mother’s care, Chábeli decided to radically change her life. She moved to Miami, where she eventually met her second husband, Cristian Altaba, with whom she found family happiness and now raises two children.
This terrible accident was just one of many hardships the Preysler family has endured. In her book, Isabel also shares her emotions about the premature birth of her grandson Alejandro, who was born critically underweight, and how doctors fought for his life for a long time. She also recalls the pain of loss: the deaths of her three brothers and the passing of her mother, Betty Arrastia. Isabel does not shy away from mentioning Chábeli’s unsuccessful first marriage to Ricardo Bofill, which was overshadowed by her husband’s destructive addictions.
Publishing her memoirs became Isabel Preysler’s way of finally setting the record straight after decades of rumors and speculation surrounding her name. The huge interest from readers and top spots in sales rankings only confirm that the story of this strong woman, who managed to maintain her dignity in the face of any adversity, resonates with many people.
