The businessman and former high-ranking official of the Administration Carlos Espinosa de los Monteros has died this Saturday at the age of 82. Espinosa de los Monteros, who was president of Iberia and father of the former Vox leader Iván Espinosa de los Monteros, dedicated a good part of his career to both public service and the private sector, focused on the external projection of Spain.
Trained in Law at the Complutense University and in Business Administration at ICADE, between 2012 and 2018 he served as the first High Commissioner of the Government for the Spain Brand, appointed by the Council of Ministers. From this responsibility, he promoted the coordination of policies to strengthen the country's international reputation and image.
Throughout his career, he held various positions in the economic Administration, including that of commercial counselor of Spain in Chicago, as well as commercial director and later vice president of the National Institute of Industry. In the business sector, in addition to presiding over Iberia and Aviaco, he was at the helm of Mercedes Benz Spain, Daimler-Chrysler, and González-Byass.
He also presided over the Circle of Entrepreneurs and the automotive employers' association ANFAC, and participated in the governing bodies of large companies such as Inditex, Acciona, and Schindler, consolidating a wide influence in the Spanish corporate fabric.
The former secretary general of Vox Javier Ortega Smith has publicly expressed his sorrow for the death of Espinosa de los Monteros, whom he has described as "a great father, a great person, a patriot, and an extraordinary professional." "We will pray for him, although I am sure he is already in heaven," he has stated on the social network X. On the same platform, Iván Espinosa de los Monteros has responded with a "thank you very much, dear Javier."
Likewise, the Atenea foundation, linked to his son Iván Espinosa de los Monteros, has sent its condolences and has highlighted the figure of the businessman, whom it describes as "an exemplary figure, whose trajectory, professionalism, and commitment leave an indelible mark and whose legacy will remain alive in those who had the fortune to share a path with him."