When one thinks of José Luis Rodríguez Zapaterothat beatific smile with which he presented himself as the flag bearer of austerity and socialist morality comes to mind. A man of principles, oblivious to the siren songs of wild capitalism and rampant materialism. Well, apparently, Zapatero has not only decided to settle in the Puerta de Hierro neighborhood, but has done so with the same stealth with which he once was endorsed by his famous economic occurrences.
There, between dream villas and collars of Drumbrón, its last real estate acquisition stands out. Although, it should be specified, it does not stand out precisely because of its luxury, but for the opposite: chipped walls, rickety roof, a garage full of junk and a garden that rather looks like the jungle of Tarzan. A decadent picture reminiscent of Spain that he left after his management, but that, paradoxically, will become a splendid mansion after due transformation. There is no doubt that Zapatero still has good smell for business.
Because, although the former president has boasted on more than one occasion of his moderation in the material, the truth is that his real estate decisions are worthy of the most seasoned investor. For this ruinous property it has disbursed 700,000 euros (Calderilla in certain circles), of which it has only put 200,000 pocket. The rest, like any satin worker, has financed it with a mortgage from Banco Santander at 20 years. Who said that being a socialist was at odds with taking advantage of market opportunities?
The neighbors, surprised by the purchase, have gone from the initial stupor to resignation. Some feared that the house was offered before learning by the press that the new owner was none other than the former president. Others speculate on whether the purchase has been for him, for his daughters or as a simple investment, because Zapatero, as a good strategist, does not usually give stitch without thread. After all, the family does not pass hardships.
And we are not talking about an isolated acquisition. This property adds to the already known residence of Valdemarín, a bargain that bought for less than 800,000 euros despite being valued at more than a million and a half. A house that, of course, is far from a modest Pizito de Barrio Obrero. And if that were not enough, it also has a splendid house in Lanzarote, for which it disbursed 1.2 million. A golden retirement in one of the most coveted areas of the island.
But it is not only the father who has proven to have a good eye for the brick. Your eldest daughter, Laura Rodríguez Espinosahas also followed the family wake and, in a chance worthy of study, acquired a floor just 800 meters from the last villa bought by its parents. And he did it with the same formula: a mortgage of Santander, in its case of 184,000 euros, with a generous period of 30 years.
Maybe some wonder where income comes from for such real estate movements. The answer leads us to What The Favthe agency of eSports, creativity and multimedia directed by the sisters Rodríguez Espinosa. A business that, as if by magic, has thrown out at the rhythm of vertigo. In 2023, he registered income of 401,903.48 euros, a notable growth compared to 301,191.70 of the previous year. An unparalleled business success in the world of video games, although with some unsolved mysteries.
Because, apparently, a part of its turnover comes from a Venezuelan digital media called The serveran enigma itself. It is not known who directs it, does not answer questions and its activity is as opaque as Zapatero’s diplomatic maneuvers in favor of the regime Nicolás Maduro. The only thing known about El Server is the faces of two young twenties who appear on their social networks to talk about video games.
But the truly fascinating is the peculiar job offer published by the FAV for this medium. They were looking for a creator of Venezuelan content, resident in Madrid, with skills in video editing and social networks. Something so specific that he led some to wonder if they no longer had the candidate in mind. Interestingly, after the controversy, the offer disappeared without a trace.
Thus, while Zapatero is still determined to present himself as a kind of mediator, dialogic and conciliatory with Chavismo, his family thrives with a dignified fluidity of study. While thousands of Venezuelans flee from misery, the former president’s daughters find in a digital medium in that country a source of buoyant income.
All this, of course, is nothing more than a succession of coincidences. Coincidences such as that of a man who abominated luxury, but today chains dream properties. Coincidences such as that of a family that, with the same naturalness with which moderation preaches, sails with ease in the waters of real estate capitalism. Coincidences, in short, like those who have made Zapatero not only a former president with luck, but also a businessman with an enviable aim.
