Zapatero's Daughters: What Laura and Alba Do and Where They Studied. Laura and Alba Zapatero are back in the spotlight following reports of an investigation. Their agency has come under scrutiny, reigniting interest in the sisters' backgrounds. Find out what they do and where they studied in this article.
In recent days, the Zapatero surname has been making headlines again—but this time not just because of the former prime minister, but thanks to his daughters. Laura and Alba Zapatero, daughters of José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero and Sonsoles Espinosa, unexpectedly found themselves at the center of social news after their advertising agency, Whatthefav, came under close scrutiny by the police. As reported by Divinity, this episode sparked renewed interest in the lives of the sisters, who usually prefer to stay out of the spotlight.
Attention on the family
While a high-profile investigation involving their father is unfolding, the media’s focus has also shifted to those closest to him. Despite being daughters of one of Spain's most prominent politicians, Laura and Alba have always tried to avoid the media limelight. However, their personal stories and professional paths are once again being discussed—not only because of the situation with their agency, but also thanks to their rare public appearances.
Education and early career
The sisters were born in 1993 and 1995 and spent most of their childhood in Madrid. They first attended San Miguel School in Las Rozas, and then, after the family moved to Moncloa, switched between several educational institutions — among them was the bilingual Asunción Rincón school in Chamberí. Later, due to security-related inconveniences, both transferred to a school in the Ciudad Universitaria district. These changes only fueled public interest in their lives, especially after the sisters, in their teenage years, were photographed together with their parents and the Barack Obama family — that picture circulated worldwide.
A professional path outside politics
After graduating from school, Laura and Alba chose similar paths in the field of audiovisual arts, but their routes diverged. The elder, Laura, did not enroll in a university, but in 2011 earned a diploma as Técnico Superior en Realización de Proyectos Audiovisuales from Escuela Superior de Comunicación, Imagen y Sonido, CEV. She began working in the industry right away, including on projects at Real Madrid TV, and in 2019 launched her own agency, Whatthefav, together with her sister.
Alba, on the other hand, decided to continue her education at university. She chose a dual program at Universidad Europea de Madrid — Comunicación Audiovisual Digital and Artes Escénicas, which she successfully completed in 2018. Before joining the family agency in 2023, Alba had already tried her hand at various roles: as an actress, YouTuber, photographer, and also as an editor and producer of the film Lu Belmonte. Such diverse experience only increased interest in her presence in the media field.
Family distance and public life
Unlike many children of Spanish politicians, Laura and Alba have not completely hidden from the public eye. Their rare appearances have always sparked discussion—whether it be candid photos or news of professional achievements. The surge of interest in the family is no coincidence: amid the investigation against their father and the raids on the agency, every detail of the sisters’ lives becomes a new topic of conversation. In this context, people also recall the girls’ mother, Sonsoles Espinosa, who has repeatedly surprised the public with her restraint and infrequent public appearances. By the way, you can read more about how Sonsoles has managed to keep her distance from media attention for years in the article about her rare appearances and the family's approach to privacy.
According to Divinity, despite all the challenges, Laura and Alba continue building careers far from politics and are in no rush to return to the spotlight. Yet every new turn in their lives—be it a professional project or a family story—invariably attracts interest from the Spanish public.
