The Spanish royal family, particularly Juan Carlos I, had long counted Josep Cusí among its close associates. Cusí has died in Barcelona at the age of 92, closing a chapter in the discreet network that surrounded the former king for decades. A successful businessman and basic confidant, he was known for his loyalty and reserved presence in royal circles.
His relationship with Juan Carlos I began in the early 1970s, at a hunting event organized by Francisco Franco. Cusí, who had served as Franco's shooting instructor and hunting companion, quickly became a trusted figure to the then-prince. Over the years, he became armador for the Bribón regatta boats, a project closely linked to the king's passion for sailing. His influence reached beyond sport, and he was often described as one of the monarch's most discreet confidants.
Cusí also helped connect the royal circle with Spain's sailing community. A 2026 report in El Debate describes him as the person who introduced Pedro Campos to Juan Carlos I's circle in the early 1980s. Campos had won his first world title in 1976, and the relationship between the men grew into a close nautical association involving Juan Carlos I and the Bribón sailing program.
Cusí's background spanned business and sport. Trained as an electronic engineer, he built a career as an entrepreneur while also excelling as a competitive swimmer and water polo player. He represented Spain in shooting at the 1968 Mexico Olympics. In Barcelona, he belonged to the Real Club Náutico de Barcelona and the Círculo del Liceo. He is survived by his wife, Inés Muiños, and their six children.
Despite his low public profile, Cusí played a impressive role in royal affairs. He helped organize the honeymoon of Felipe VI and Letizia, a trip reportedly costing more than half a million dollars that Juan Carlos I also shared. In 2018, he described the relationship between Queen Letizia and Queen Sofía as positive, pushing back against rumors of tension within the royal family.
The friendship between Cusí and Juan Carlos I faced challenges. Journalist Pilar Urbano reported tensions when the king wanted to attend meetings accompanied by Corina Sayn-Wittgenstein. In a 2012 article in La Vanguardia, Cusí said the decision to go on a hunting safari in Botswana, where the king suffered a hip injury, had not been wise. His discretion was evident in a 1983 statement: he saw himself not as the king's patron, but as his servant at sea and on land.
Barcelona has long been a backdrop for influential figures in Spanish politics and society. The city has also seen political shifts and internal tensions, highlighted in recent years by the changing role of parties such as Junts per Catalunya. For example, the party's internal divisions and uncertain future have drawn attention to the changing field of Catalan influence in national affairs.
Cusí's legacy is intertwined with the modern history of Spain's monarchy. His life offers a window into the private networks that shaped the country's recent past, from the final years of Franco's regime to the present. His death highlights the lasting ties between business and the royal family, with sport also part of the story, and the individuals who have quietly influenced national events.
The Bribón boats, which Cusí managed, became symbols of Spanish sailing and royal participation in international regattas. The Real Club Náutico de Barcelona, where he was a member, remains a central institution in the city's maritime life. The Círculo del Liceo is one of Barcelona's most prestigious private clubs, reflecting the city's tradition of elite social circles. Cusí's participation in the 1968 Olympics speaks to the breadth of his sporting achievements, while his business activities placed him among the influential Catalan bourgeoisie. His story illustrates the often unseen but impressive roles played by those close to Spain's most prominent families.
