When the door of a black van opens at the entrance of the Institute of Cultural Heritage of Spain, nearby conversations fade.
Heads tilt, as if granting privacy to the travelers, but eyes remain fixed on the woman with short hair who steps out of the car dressed in a skirt with golden sequins, a white shirt, and black knee-high boots.
They wonder, in hushed tones, if it is really her. Isabel Preysler follows the photographer's directions and, although direct light usually triggers migraines for her, she gazes towards the sunset sun.
Later, when she returns to the main entrance, it will be the flashes that illuminate her. Despite the fragmentation that the internet has caused in the celebrity system - now a giant cluster of popularity niches - Preysler's fame still permeates society.
On this occasion, the press awaits her at the photocall of the fashion show that Pedro del Hierro is hosting in Madrid during fashion week, celebrating the brand's half-century milestone. Preysler has been working with the Madrid-based fashion house for years.
In the 70s, Del Hierro designed a red and black moiré dress with bare shoulders for her. "I regret not keeping it. It was beautiful, and I would wear it now.
Both he and Nacho Aguayo [creative director of the brand along with Álex Miralles] understand women very well. They make them feel favored, secure. And that is very important, isn't it?"
Your name has always been associated with the idea of elegance. How has the concept changed for you in recent years?
Well, I don't consider myself an expert at all. All I know is that for me, elegance is about naturalness. I have always followed the "less is more" approach. You should ask someone who is an authority on the subject. I am not. I don't feel that way.
But you are often referred to as such. How do you feel about your own image then?
Well, I see myself as someone who follows the "less is more" philosophy. But as elegant, no. Not at all.
Who would be the most elegant woman for Isabel Preysler?
I would say Audrey Hepburn, right?
Natural elegance, effortless.
Yes.
One trait you do recognize and comment on are quirks. Which one would you like to get rid of?
The one I have with germs. I am very particular about them. It bothers me a bit. And before, even more. I am trying to get rid of it and I have made quite a bit of progress.
But I admit that living like this is terrible.
Especially now when I see my grandchildren, touching everything, rolling around everywhere. And my children tell me, "Mom, don't even think about it." And indeed, I see that they are very healthy and nothing happens to them.
Your daughter Tamara mentioned the other day that she always carries crudités in her bag. What else do you usually carry with you? Besides hand sanitizer?
Always. Even before the pandemic. But before crudités, I used to carry chocolate. And then, all the things that ladies usually carry: a lipstick, a wide-tooth comb, my agenda, my cell phone. The hand sanitizer.
In the reality shows, while having breakfast, you are seen reading the newspaper. What worries you the most about everything you read in the newspaper?
At the moment, what is happening in Venezuela, of course. And the amnesty. And I am very interested in what's happening with Kamala Harris and Trump.
How do you think it will end? Will Kamala win?
I hope so. I really like her. Yes.
What is the biggest lie you have read about yourself in the press?
Many. Like not eating, for example.
You, who carry chocolate in your bag.
And not just because of that. I eat. I love paellas. I love potato omelets. I like all the foods that everyone likes. I mean, when I go to dinners, if the gentleman next to me doesn't know me, he says, "I'm amazed by what you've eaten." People think I don't eat anything.
What is your comfort food when you are not feeling well?
A soup that Ramona makes for me at home with many ingredients: meat, all vegetables, potatoes, rice. It's a recipe from my daughter Chábeli. It can revive the dead. It's amazing.
There is a mix of familiarity and mystery surrounding your figure. Do the character and the person clash at times?
I have never understood the mystery part. I don't know why they have always said that. I'll tell you the truth: even if you don't believe it and people don't believe it, I am shy. Maybe that shyness led to the invention of the mystery, because otherwise, there is no other explanation. I don't understand it.
How do you handle red carpets then?
I'm not someone who knows how to pose, you know? You see other ladies and yes, they do it. It's hard for me.
Is there anything you would have done differently with your public persona?
Probably many things. I see those who say "I would do everything the same" and I'm impressed. I even admire them. Not me.
Anything specific?
I'm not going to tell you.
What is the greatest lesson love has taught you?
I understand that with each person I have been with, I have learned something. From some more than others, but yes, I have always learned something from everyone.
Would you have liked to live in this era at the age of your daughters?
Well, I would have loved it. Although I don't complain either. But yes, I would have liked it.
Do you feel you have been free?
That I have felt free? No, no. I have not lived in an era where women felt that way. Not at all.
When did you start feeling that way, if you ever did?
From my second marriage onwards. Before that, no.
What happened then?
I started to see more of the world. To realize what real life was.
And what was real life?
It wasn't that small world, which was mine, very protected, where decisions were made for me. It wasn't the world I wanted for myself, where decisions were made for me. Do you think that in the end, with that effort, I went too far?
Do you think you went too far?
I don't know. There may be people who have thought, "If she thinks she did, then she did."
Have you passed on what you have learned to your daughters?
Definitely. I remind my daughters all the time about the importance of a woman's place. To the point where sometimes they say to me, "Mom, what's wrong with you? Do you have something against men?" I don't have anything against them, but I just say that women are very valuable and have their place. I am a great advocate for women, even if it doesn't seem like it.
Why wouldn't it seem like it?
Because they think I always have to be with a man, that I needed one. I believe that people who truly know me know that it's not the case.
And does it affect you what those who don't know you might think?
Not anymore. I only care about what people who are important to me or whom I care about might think. Or journalists whom I believe have prestige.
Going back, do you have a companion now?
A man? No. I have been fortunate to be with men who have been very well-known, very important, and very valid. They have always given that a lot of importance, probably more than they should have. But no, now I am alone and I am happy to be so. It is the first time in my life that I am alone and I am delighted.
What are the advantages of being single?
Well! You make your decisions just for yourself. You decide on your vacations. You turn the light on and off in your room whenever you feel like it. You can read in bed, not like before, because he goes to sleep before you. A thousand things. From meals to your trips. Your whole life. Do you know what it's like to suddenly be alone? I also recognize that I depend a lot on my grandchildren. I love my life with them.
And if a wonderful man were to come along now, would you allow yourself to fall in love?
That can never be known. But I'm not looking for it nor do I need it. I guarantee you that. When you are younger, you say, "Well, I would like it to happen to me" because you feel like it, because you want to experience love. But I believe I have lived enough. I have no need.
How do you feel now witnessing what you have already experienced in your children's relationships?
I respect them a lot. At home, we all respect each other's decisions. I have five children who have different opinions, dedicate themselves to different things, and think differently. As you can understand, if not, it would be chaotic. We are used to respecting and supporting each other. We have always done it, and it has worked out very well for us.
Even if you think the other person is wrong.
If I think they are wrong, I do say it. What a mother cannot do is stay silent if she sees that it is a mistake. Now, if they tell me that despite what I have said, they prefer to continue with that, of course, I stay quiet and respect it, but as a mother, I have to tell them.
In addition to being a mother, you are an icon of recent Spanish history. How has the country changed?
Today's Spain has nothing to do with the one when I arrived in '71. We were under a dictatorship. Then we experienced the transition, and we were all very proud of how well we were doing it, how well the Spaniards were handling it. We were the pride of the whole world. I also felt very proud when I traveled everywhere and they would say to me, "From Spain! How wonderful, how well you are handling the transition!"
How can we regain that pride?
I have no idea. I wish I knew. Those who should know are the politicians, they are the ones who have to fix it, not us. You and I will never fix anything.
But if we leave it in the hands of politicians...?
They are the only ones who can do it.
And from society?
Do you think it can be fixed from society? I find it difficult.
Should the change be political?
I'm not saying it has to be... I don't know if it's about mentality. It's not in your hands or mine.
And finally: a question you can't stand being asked.
If I'm going to get married again. At my age!