A special relationship
Menchu del Valle’s departure was a painful moment for Letizia. Her grandmother and granddaughter shared a great complicity and one of her greatest passions: interest in the media. This passion was also inherited by Jesús Ortiz, son of Menchu. For many years, Menchu worked as a radio communicator, from 1947 to 1990. Throughout her career, she received several awards, such as the Antena de Oro in 1974, another in 2004 for her career, and the National Radio Award in 2013. .
A shared interest
In addition to their passion for the media, Menchu, Jesús and Letizia shared another interest, as mentioned in the book by Isidre Cunill entitled ‘Letizia Ortiz, a republican in the court of King Juan Carlos I’. According to the author, Menchu del Valle led a very promiscuous life, just as has been claimed about Letizia in relation to her alleged infidelity to Felipe VI with Jaime del Burgo. But this promiscuity seems to be something inherited, since the adventures and misadventures of the queen’s great-grandmother, Plácida del Valle, are also mentioned.
A revealing story
According to the author’s story, Menchu del Valle was born and raised in Aldea de San Miguel, but after many wanderings, he moved to Asturias. Although José Luis Ortiz was not Jesús Ortiz’s biological father, he accepted him as his son upon joining Menchu. Letizia’s real grandfather is said to be a famous ophthalmologist from Asturias, although not much is known about him. Menchu del Valle is described as a woman with a strong personality and ambition to excel in her profession.
Grandma’s legacy
The author also mentions the excess of promiscuity, the sometimes devilish character and the natural vulgarity of Menchu del Valle, characteristics that according to him, he also transmitted to his granddaughter Letizia. In addition, reference is made to Plácida del Valle, Letizia’s paternal great-grandmother, who was also known for her dubious reputation. Both women rest in Aldea de San Miguel, Valladolid.