Manuela Vargas

Manuela Hermoso Vargas, recognized as Manuela Vargas, was a renowned Spanish flamenco dancer born in Seville in 1941. Coming from a gypsy background, she began her journey in dance at just twelve years old, performing at the tablao "El Guajiro" under the guidance of master Enrique El Cojo, before transitioning to "El Duende" in Madrid.

Vargas’s breakthrough came in 1964 when she captured the International Dance Prize at the Theatre of Nations in Paris for the show *Antología dramática del flamenco*, directed by José Monleón. This accolade propelled her into the international spotlight. The following year, she showcased her talent at the Spanish pavilion during the New York World's Fair, and in 1966, she graced the stage of the Prince of Wales Theatre in London for a month. Her success continued with a triumphant performance at the Teatro Avenida in Buenos Aires in 1969, the same year she received the National Flamenco Dance Award from the Chair of Flamencology in Jerez de la Frontera.

In film, Vargas co-starred with Mark Stevens in Jaime Camino's *España otra vez* and was involved in significant theatrical productions, including *Medea* (1984) and adaptations of works by Federico García Lorca and Rafael Alberti. She also participated in the opening gala of Seville Expo '92 and her last cinematic appearance was in Pedro Almodóvar's *La flor de mi secreto*.

In recognition of her contributions to the arts, she was awarded the Gold Medal of Merit in the Fine Arts in 2006. Manuela Vargas passed away on October 12, 2007, in Madrid after a battle with cancer, leaving behind two daughters, Rocio and Macarena. She was laid to rest at the San Fernando Cemetery in Seville.