2023-11-04 19:22:10
It was a cold and rainy day, but this did not stop family members, colleagues and politicians from coming this Saturday to say their last goodbye to José María Carrascal, one of the most prominent figures in Spanish journalism of the last half century and an enormously Popular during the 90s for the very particular style he coined as a news presenter. It was impossible for this journalist to leave without anyone finding out, as he had been saying in recent years. «Who are you waiting for? -some ladies who were leaving the San Isidro funeral home asked the journalists, surprised that there was so much expectation. Ah, Carrascal, the one with the ties. What a pity…”.
Telegram from the Kings to the family
Dear Ellen:
After learning the sad news of the death of José María, we send you our love and closeness and our sincere and deep regret.
We grew up with him and knew what was happening in half the world. Tireless correspondent, great communicator, sharp journalist and renowned writer, Carrascal conquered the public with his peculiar way of telling us “at the edge of midnight” what was happening.
With all affection
Awarded in 2021 with the Luca de Tena for his career, and many years before with the Cavia, the title of journalism legend fits him perfectly. On the day of his farewell, everyone remembered his extraordinary dedication to a profession that he has not left behind in the last 65 years, since it premiered on ABC in 1958 with his first article until his last column. of him, published this week. Carrascal “is part of the history of information in our country,” highlighted the leader of the Popular Party, Alberto Núñez Feijóo. «In the press or television he has told the Spanish people about the most important events of the last half century. And until the last breath he has kept his appointment with the readers on ABC,” summarized the president of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Diaz Ayuso. On the part of the Government, he was the acting Minister of Culture, Miquel Icetawho expressed his condolences on Twitter: “Rest in peace.”
The delegate of Culture, Tourism and Sports of the Madrid City Council, Marta Rivera de la Cruz, who approached the funeral chapel, wanted to “celebrate his life” and who remained active until the last moment, less than a month after turning 93: “He published his last column a few days ago. We are left with the example of an upright, lucid professional. Carrascal was a style, a way of doing journalism and television. José Luis Martínez-Almeida, mayor of Madrid, highlighted that Carrascal “for years entered the homes of Spaniards with his own style of narrating current events through his editorials on television.”
Correspondent for three decades in Berlin and New York, and before he established himself as a columnist at ABC, in 1989 he returned to Spain to take charge of the news direction of Antena 3. This television journey was the one that gave him the most popularity. No matter what he said, he did not consider himself a television man and what he really liked was writing. From the United States he brought another way of communicating: he began the news sitting on the table, with a short editorial comment and a very recognizable diction. And his ties, of course. But Carrascal “was more than just a tie,” he said. Manu Sánchez, Sports presenter on Antena 3. «At the beginning of Antena 3 we were all too young and we needed a person with his experience, his talent, his patience and common sense. “He was a reference for information and journalism in this country, a tireless worker,” he declared.
Indebted to his way of reporting are other television journalists such as Sandra Golpe, Jaime Cantizano or Carlos Franganillo, who publicly showed their admiration for him. The director of ABC approached the funeral chapel, Julian Quirosas well as the former president-editor of the newspaper, Catalina Luca de Tenay Soledad Luca de Tena, member of the Board of Directors of Vocento. Old friends from the newspaper and television, like Javier Gimeno or Francisco Sierra, they wanted to say their last goodbye in person. Also Miguel Falomir (Prado Museum), Máximo Garrido (‘Pueblo’ newspaper), Guillermo Tena, Manuel Campo Vidal, Jorge del Corral, Roberto Arce, Antonio Garrigues Walker… “He was an exceptional journalist,” said Koke Tejera, director of Public Relations of Atresmedia. «And he was a man very much in love with his wife. He has always said that his life would have been completely different without Ellen.
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