Rafael de Paula
Rafael Soto Moreno (11 February 1940 – 2 November 2025), better known as Rafael de Paula, was a Spanish bullfighter.
Life and career
Moreno was born in Jerez de la Frontera on 11 February 1940.[1] He made his debut on 9 May 1957 in Ronda.
In 2002 he received the Gold Medal of Merit in the Fine Arts.[2][3] In 2012 he received the Joaquín Vidal National University Bullfighting Award, awarded by the Mazzantini Circle.[4]
In 2014 he was arrested by the police for attempted assault on his lawyer.[5]
De Paula died from cardiovascular complications on 2 November 2025, at the age of 85.[6][1]
References
- ^ a b "Rafael de Paula obituary: celebrated and singular bullfighter". The Times. 6 November 2025. Retrieved 6 November 2025.
- ^ "BOE-A-2002-3210 Real Decreto 203/2002, de 15 de febrero, por el que se concede la Medalla al Mérito en las Bellas Artes, en su categoría de Oro, a las personas y entidades que se citan". www.boe.es. Retrieved 3 November 2025.
- ^ Información, Andalucía (11 June 2012). ""No soy un torero artista, sino un torero de arte, que es distinto "". Andalucía Información (in Spanish). Retrieved 3 November 2025.
- ^ Información, Andalucía (8 September 2012). "Rafael de Paula abandona un homenaje tras criticar a los organizadores". Andalucía Información (in Spanish). Retrieved 3 November 2025.
- ^ Jerez, Francisco Orgambides (2 November 2014). ""Estoy en posesión de la verdad y como ser humano no me traiciono"". Diario de Jerez (in Spanish). Retrieved 3 November 2025.
- ^ "Muere a los 85 años Rafael de Paula, leyenda del toreo". Diario ABC (in Spanish). 2 November 2025. Retrieved 3 November 2025.