Age, Biography and Wiki

Rafael Aguilar (Rafael Eduardo Franco Sotomayor) was born on 24 December, 1929 in Guayaquil, Ecuador, is an Ecuadorian ballet dancer and choreographer. Discover Rafael Aguilar's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is he in this year and how he spends money? Also learn how he earned most of networth at the age of 66 years old?

Popular As Rafael Eduardo Franco Sotomayor
Occupation Dancer and choreographer
Age 66 years old
Zodiac Sign Capricorn
Born 24 December 1929
Birthday 24 December
Birthplace Guayaquil, Ecuador
Date of death 1995
Died Place Madrid, Spain
Nationality Ecuador

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 24 December. He is a member of famous ballet dancer with the age 66 years old group.

Rafael Aguilar Height, Weight & Measurements

At 66 years old, Rafael Aguilar height not available right now. We will update Rafael Aguilar's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

Physical Status
Height Not Available
Weight Not Available
Body Measurements Not Available
Eye Color Not Available
Hair Color Not Available

Who Is Rafael Aguilar's Wife?

His wife is Manuela Aguilar (m. 1951)

Family
Parents Not Available
Wife Manuela Aguilar (m. 1951)
Sibling Not Available
Children Not Available

Rafael Aguilar Net Worth

His net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Rafael Aguilar worth at the age of 66 years old? Rafael Aguilar’s income source is mostly from being a successful ballet dancer. He is from Ecuador. We have estimated Rafael Aguilar's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
House Not Available
Cars Not Available
Source of Income ballet dancer

Rafael Aguilar Social Network

Instagram
Linkedin
Twitter
Facebook
Wikipedia
Imdb

Timeline

1929

Rafael Aguilar (born Rafael Franco; 24 December 1929 – 3 March 1995) was an Ecuadorian ballet dancer and choreographer.

He was born Rafael Franco Sotomayor in Guayaquil in the house of his great-aunt and uncle.

His father, Alfredo Franco Ricaurte, was born in Bogotá, who immigrated to Guayaquil to work at the Commercial and Agricultural Bank.

1935

In 1935 his father moved back to Colombia.

His mother, Esther Sotomayor y Sotomayor, was from Vinces.

He was the youngest of five siblings.

1939

In 1939, his sister Leonor developed a limp that doctors diagnosed as rheumatism.

1941

They tried living for a year to Salinas for the better climate, but in 1941 their mother decided to take Leonor to Baltimore for treatment and sent the other four children to live to Bogotá to live with their father.

1942

In 1942, Leonor successfully underwent surgery in New York City, and their mother decided to stay in the United States.

Rafael Aguilar was educated first at Colegio San José La Salle, where he picked up languages easily and excelled in French.

1944

In 1944, he and his siblings were reunited in New York City, where he attended Cardinal Spellman High School.

He worked various jobs, working for a restaurant and messaging service, while enjoying the cosmopolitan lifestyle of Manhattan.

He attended the opera frequently and learned to speak some Italian and Arabic from his neighbors, and considered becoming a diplomat.

1947

To prepare for this career, in 1947 he moved to Belgium to study international law at the University of Louvain.

On weekends, however, he would travel to Paris, where he learned to dance flamenco, and was encouraged to study dance.

1948

At age 20, he began his dance training in London, studying at the Royal Ballet School from 1948 to 1950.

He worked with greats including Léonide Massine and John Taras, and decided his future lay in the world of dance.

Rafael, who already had an effeminate nature not appreciated by his family, was told to change his surname by his brother Jorge, who was embarrassed that his brother would become a ballet dancer.

1951

In Paris in 1951, he met Spanish dancer Manuela Aguilar, who owned a small flamenco company.

He joined her company and began his choreography career, creating avant-garde dances that brought new life to flamenco.

He married Manuela and moved to Spain, where he changed his name from Franco to Aguilar—a decision undertaken to avoid any associations with Francoism rather than to honor his brother's request.

1960

In 1960, they founded the Ballet Teatro Espanol de Rafael Aguilar.

For many years he created many outstanding productions, mainly flamenco themed.

His wife devoted herself to studying gypsy culture and integrated many gypsy dances into their choreography as well.

1992

The highlight of his career was in 1992, when he was awarded the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Theatre Choreographer for the West End musical Matador.

1994

In July 1994, Aguilar began suffering severe headaches while touring Germany, and he was subsequently diagnosed with brain cancer.

He underwent six weeks of radiation treatment at the Hospital of Madrid, where defective equipment burned the skin on his skull.

He then went to the hospital of the Red Cross, where he improved after a course of chemotherapy.

1995

He was still weak but returned to work in time for the opening night of his production of Boléro in Madrid on 3 March 1995, when he suffered a heart attack and died.

1998

Manuela died in 1998.