Carmen and Sabina Thyssen-Bornemisza celebrated their 20th birthday at Mas Mañanas, the family’s residence in Sant Feliú de Guixols. Born in Los Angeles in July 2006, the twins have grown up in the public eye and now enter adulthood with sharply different ambitions and roles in the family’s cultural legacy. Their celebration came as their mother, the baronesa Thyssen, continued recovering from a recent illness, ¡HOLA! reports.
Carmen initially considered business and international relations but has shifted her focus to law, a field she now finds deeply engaging. She has completed her academic year with strong results and is already involved in planning the future Barcelona museum, scheduled to open in 2028. The project was presented publicly in October 2025 by Stoneweg Places & Experiences and is planned for Palau Marcet, at the junction of Passeig de Gràcia and Gran Via. The building housed the Comèdia cinema for decades. The museum’s proposed focus is Catalan art of the 19th and 20th centuries, giving it a distinct regional remit. The opening is targeted for the second half of 2028, though that remains a planned key stage. Sabina, meanwhile, has chosen a more creative path and is pursuing art and design studies. She prefers to stay out of the public spotlight, focusing on illustration and music while learning languages. Her mother describes her as the more free-spirited twin.
Carmen’s first solo interview, published by Harper’s Bazaar when she was 20, linked her interest in the family’s artistic legacy with her law studies in Barcelona and her growing public role. She described inheritance as a responsibility, not simply a personal asset: “It does not belong only to you.” She has also said she would like to take on greater responsibilities in the future, but first wants to prepare, learn and gain experience. As she put it, “each generation has something to contribute.”
Their contrasting personalities, Carmen’s structured approach and Sabina’s artistic independence, have not weakened their close bond. Both have spoken about the importance of mutual support. Carmen has emphasized the privilege and responsibility of carrying forward her mother’s legacy, while Sabina has highlighted the value of pursuing personal passions over conventional expectations. Their upbringing included a multilingual education and training in the arts, including music and ballet, reflecting the family’s commitment to cultural excellence. Carmen has also argued that museums can connect more effectively with younger audiences through experiences that are interactive and use digital tools, while retaining their impressive identity.
Over the years, the twins have appeared on numerous ¡HOLA! covers, documenting milestones from early childhood through their recent transition into adulthood. The covers have included their baptism and first steps, as well as family holidays and their first interview after turning 18, given from their home in Andorra. The baronesa has consistently said she wants her daughters to find their own paths without imposing specific expectations, though Carmen has shown a clear interest in managing the family’s museums and cultural projects.
In January 2025, Carmen and Sabina appeared on the cover of ¡HOLA! without their mother for the first time, signaling a generational shift. Carmen described the period as an chance to combine her studies with hands-on involvement in projects that motivate her. Sabina said her mother encourages her to avoid conventional routes and focus on what truly inspires her. In September, Carmen received the Gen H “Nueva Generación en el Arte” award for her commitment to youth engagement in the arts and her intention to create an open, participatory cultural environment.
The Thyssen twins’ story is unfolding amid changes in Spain’s cultural scene, where family legacies meet a new generation. Their journey recalls other figures who have shaped local communities, including the long-serving mayor of Chercos, whose decades of service were recently commemorated in a feature on enduring public legacies.
As the Thyssen-Bornemisza family prepares for its next phase, the twins’ distinct choices reflect wider shifts in Spain’s approach to heritage and education, as well as personal development. Their multilingual skills and artistic training, together with a commitment to tradition and innovation, position them as influential figures in the country’s cultural future. The Barcelona museum is scheduled to open in 2028, a development expected to strengthen the family’s role in Spain’s art world. Meanwhile, the twins’ individual pursuits continue to attract public and media interest.
