The life of Joaquín Sabina has always been shrouded in mystery, despite his status as one of Spain’s most renowned musicians. Even after stepping away from the stage at 76, he continues to captivate public interest. His private life has rarely been made public, and only a few knew about his relationship with the Argentine Paula Seminara, who was almost thirty years his junior.
Sabina has always managed to keep his distance from the press, much like his fellow performers. His first marriage to Lucía Correa came soon after divorces were legalized in Spain and lasted only a short while. Later, Isabel Oliart, the daughter of a prominent politician, entered his life, and together they had two daughters. Today, the musician is married to Peruvian photographer Jimena Coronado, whom he met in Lima. Their marriage has lasted a quarter of a century, and it was she who helped Sabina overcome financial troubles after his legal disputes with the tax authorities.
A Meeting in Buenos Aires
The story of how Sabina and Paula Seminara met began in the capital of Argentina. In 1998, the musician was working on a new album, while Paula, then still a student, was planning to attend his concert with her boyfriend. However, a week before the show, their relationship ended, and she ended up going to the concert with a friend. After the show, she tried to meet the artist at his hotel, but missed him. The next day, Paula left him a letter, and soon after received an invitation to his next concert. There was an instant spark between them, and it quickly developed into a romance.
Paula accompanied Sabina to album launches not only in Spain, but also in Mexico. The musician often visited her in Buenos Aires, including for her 21st birthday. Despite the age difference, their relationship progressed rapidly. Sabina even dedicated a song to Paula, ‘Dieguitos y Mafaldas’, which was featured on his acclaimed 1999 album.
A glance into the past
Many years after their relationship ended, Paula Seminara decided to share her side of the story. In 2022, she published an autobiographical book in which she detailed her feelings, experiences, and the mistakes that, as she says, hurt Sabina. In the book, she shares the letters they exchanged and reflects on how the relationship influenced her life.
Paula admits she has no regrets about the time she spent with the musician. She notes that their romance was an important life lesson that helped her understand herself better. Although they eventually went their separate ways, she regards the past with respect and openly acknowledges that she gained a lot from the relationship.
Private and Public
The story of Paula and Sabina remained out of the spotlight for a long time, even though the musician enjoys huge popularity in Argentina. After the book was published, the Argentine press gave it significant attention, since Sabina’s name attracts interest from generations of listeners. In her interviews, Paula emphasizes that she tried to remain discreet and avoided sharing intimate details in order to protect the artist’s reputation.
She says that Sabina was a very sensitive and attentive person, but their lives were simply too different. According to Paula, it was the differences in lifestyle and worldviews that led to their breakup. Nevertheless, she is grateful for everything that happened between them and considers this experience an integral part of her life story.
Joaquín Sabina is a legendary Spanish singer and poet whose songs have become anthems for several generations. His work has been honored with numerous awards, and his albums have sold millions of copies. Sabina is known not only for his musical achievements but also for his colorful personal life, which has always remained in the background. Paula Seminara, in turn, gained fame through her relationship with the musician and her autobiographical book, in which she openly shared her feelings and mistakes for the first time. Today, Sabina continues to inspire fans around the world, while his former partner is building her own career in literature.
