After making headlines with a pointed comment about missing the Goyesca de Ronda, Cayetano Rivera has stepped out of the media spotlight. He addressed the controversy on social media, saying, 'Mi historia, si quiero, la cuento yo.' While his brother Fran discussed it in ¡HOLA!, Cayetano has said nothing further, leaving his silence to stand in for interviews. The family rift remains unresolved, and the public is left to guess what might happen next.
Instead of adding fuel to the conflict, Cayetano has turned his attention to art. He was recently seen in a studio surrounded by canvases and other artists. Among them was Fabiola Urien Saenz, a self-taught painter from Burgos known for her socially engaged work. They met during one of Cayetano’s painting sessions, which offer him an escape from constant public scrutiny.
For more than a year, Cayetano has stayed away from the bullring and its demanding schedule. He still follows a strict training routine and spends time with his children, Lucía Rivera and young Cayetano. The move from the arena to the studio hasn’t slowed him down. Instead, he has poured his energy into painting, which now shapes his daily life.
His interest in art became public in April with the launch of Panda, a collection created with Domingo Zapata. Sometimes called the Spanish Andy Warhol, Zapata is known internationally, and his work has drawn the attention of celebrities such as Angelina Jolie and Leonardo DiCaprio. Zapata and Cayetano have worked together before: in 2023, Zapata painted a bullfighting suit for Cayetano, which he wore at the Picassiana de Málaga. This summer, they hosted actor Adrien Brody in the Balearic Islands, a meeting that brought art and film into the world of bullfighting.
Antena 3 reported that the conflict between Cayetano and Fran Rivera intensified over disagreements about whether Cayetano had communicated his intention to retire in Ronda, a place with deep symbolic meaning for the Ordoñez-Rivera family. The 2026 Goyesca carried particular significance because it marked an impressive anniversary related to Antonio Ordóñez.
As Cayetano focuses on art and family, he has kept his relationship with Tamara Gorro private and has not responded to Fran or their younger brother, Julián Contreras, who recently spoke about the family split. Julián said on Fiesta that he supports what he considers logical and coherent, adding that Cayetano is now facing the same difficulties he has dealt with for years. Julián was not invited to the Goyesca either, a sign of how deep the family divisions run.
Family disputes that spill into public view are not unusual in Spain. A previous case involving inheritance battles in Madrid shows how such conflicts can alter relationships and reputations for years. For the Riveras, the mix of public legacy and private tension has created a spectacle that neither side seems willing to resolve in front of cameras.
Cayetano’s turn to art also reflects his decision not to let family drama define his public image. By focusing on creativity, he is taking control of his own story as other family members continue to speak out. This may not heal old wounds, but it signals that he does not intend to return to public arguments. In a country where family and tradition are closely linked, his silence and focus on art stand out as an act of self-direction.
