Iñaki Urdangarin: From Olympic Glory to Prison and Back

The trajectory of Iñaki Urdangarin reads like a modern epic, marked by soaring highs and devastating lows. Once the celebrated handball Olympian and son-in-law to the Spanish monarchy, his life took a sharp turn into the legal and social abyss.

Twenty years ago, his wedding to Cristina de Borbón drew 200,000 cheering spectators to the streets of Barcelona. By 2012, however, the crowds had turned hostile, greeting his arrival at the Palma courts with jeers and whistles. This stark contrast defines the journey from the olympo to the infierno—a fall from grace that culminated in a prison sentence.

Now, having settled his accounts with the justice system in 2024, Urdangarin is stepping back into the public eye. He sat down with journalist Natalia Junquera for a lengthy interview and photo session in Barcelona, timed with the release of his new book, Todo lo vivido.

The catalyst for Urdangarin’s public downfall was the caso Nóos. The investigation centered on the misuse of public funds allocated to the Nóos Institute, a non-profit organization he co-founded. The legal proceedings dragged him from a life of privilege into the harsh reality of the courtroom.

In 2012, he descended the infamous cuesta de la vergüenza (slope of shame) to enter the Palma courthouses as an indicted individual. The atmosphere was a far cry from the adulation he received during his sports career. The legal battle eventually resulted in a conviction for corruption, malversation, fraud, and tax crimes.

The sentence handed down was severe: five years of imprisonment. In 2024, Urdangarin finally completed his sentence, closing a painful chapter of his life defined by legal battles and public scrutiny.

• Conviction for corruption and fraud
• Five-year prison sentence served
• Legal closure achieved in 2024

The interview with Natalia Junquera for El País Semanal offers a glimpse into Urdangarin’s current mindset. The setting was Barcelona, a city that witnessed both his greatest triumphs and his most public humiliations.

Junquera observed a complex figure during their extensive session. While Urdangarin claims to have learned “how not to be liked,” his demeanor suggested otherwise. The journalist noted that his tone and gestures conveyed a persistent desire to please, presenting himself as a hombre nuevo—a new man.

“He has learned how not to be liked.”

The interview coincides with the publication of his memoir, Todo lo vivido (Everything I've Lived). The book promises to address unanswered questions and detail his experiences behind bars, offering his personal narrative of the events that have defined his public image for over a decade.

To understand Urdangarin’s fall, one must look at the heights from which he fell. As an Olympic medalist, he was part of the Spanish national handball team, earning respect and admiration through athletic achievement. His marriage to the Infanta Cristina solidified his status as a figure of national interest, often described as the yerno perfecto (perfect son-in-law).

He was also a father of four, embodying the image of a large, happy family. This public persona made the revelations of the Nóos case all the more shocking to the Spanish public. The transition from a family man and sports hero to a defendant in a major corruption trial was swift and brutal.

The interview in Barcelona serves as a platform for Urdangarin to reclaim his narrative. By sharing his story, he aims to move beyond the labels of the past decade and redefine his identity outside of the courtroom and the prison walls.

As Iñaki Urdangarin releases his memoir and speaks publicly about his past, he attempts to turn the page on a turbulent era. The interview with Natalia Junquera provides a rare, unfiltered look at a man who has navigated the extremes of public opinion.

The release of Todo lo vivido marks a significant step in his post-prison life. It is an opportunity to address the past directly and to present a version of events from his perspective. Whether this will rehabilitate his image or simply document his fall remains to be seen.

Ultimately, the story of Iñaki Urdangarin is one of dramatic reversal. From the cheers of Barcelona to the jeers of Palma, and now to the quiet reflection of a man who has served his time, his journey continues to captivate public attention.