Pepa Bueno: How a Radio Internship Changed Her Professional Path. Pepa Bueno unexpectedly chose journalism after becoming disillusioned with her studies. An internship at a radio station became a turning point. Her career includes live broadcasts about the pandemic and the end of ETA's terrorism.
Pepa Bueno, the well-known Telediario 2 anchor and former director of El País, has spoken openly about how her professional path unfolded contrary to her original plans. Born in Badajoz to a police officer's family, she did not associate her life with journalism for a long time and even considered a career as an actress, participating in the troupe at the Extremadura Center for Dramatic Art.
Unlike her colleagues who knew their calling from a young age, Pepa Bueno cannot pinpoint the moment she decided to become a journalist. Her journey began with disappointment: she dropped out of university, but after just two weeks of radio internship realized she wanted to return to the profession. This experience became decisive for her—she again enrolled in journalism school and soon found herself at the center of nationwide events.
A live broadcast career
Since 2009, Pepa Bueno has hosted the second edition of Telediario, and in 2012 became the face of Hoy por Hoy on SER. From 2021 to 2025, she headed El País. Throughout her career, she has covered the most pressing and complex events, including the onset of the pandemic and ETA attacks. According to her, it was precisely the opportunity to be at the heart of history and witness events firsthand that became the main incentive for choosing this profession.
Working in times of crisis
Pepa Bueno recalls the periods related to ETA activity as some of the most intense in her career. She worked in the studio, keeping in touch with colleagues on the ground. She felt particular satisfaction when the ETA attacks came to an end—this moment became for her a symbol of change in the country.
Personal motivation and approach
Pepa Bueno notes that she has always been results-oriented and closely monitored ratings. Despite her rich biography, she has no plans to write a book about her life. For her, it is more important to remain in the profession and continue working live on air, where each event requires quick reactions and precision.
