Gilda Love, world's oldest drag queen, dies at 100 in Barcelona

Gilda Love, considered the oldest drag queen in Spain and a pioneering figure of the country's transformismo scene, has died at the age of 100. The artist passed away on July 13, 2026, in Barcelona due to natural causes, as confirmed by friends and the association GAG LGTBIQA. Source: Milenio, Infobae

A life of transformation

Born Eduardo Rondón in San Fernando, Cádiz (sources differ on the year: 1925 or 1926), Gilda Love fled to Paris after serving in the military, escaping the repression of Franco's Spain. In Paris, she discovered drag at the legendary cabaret Madame Arthur, performing alongside figures like Coccinelle. Inspired by Rita Hayworth's character in the film Gilda, she adopted her stage name. Source: ABC.es, El Mundo

Returning to Spain in the late 1960s, she settled in Barcelona's Raval district, then known as the Barrio Chino. For decades, she performed at iconic venues such as El Cangrejo, winning hearts with her elegant, humorous style. Her career spanned from the dictatorship through the consolidation of LGBTQ+ rights in Spain. Source: Milenio

Recognition and legacy

• In 2022, director Enric Ribes released the documentary Cantando en las azoteas, which explored her life and struggles. Source: Infobae
• Her hometown, San Fernando, established the Premio Gilda Love to honor those defending LGBTQ+ rights. Source: El Mundo
• Fellow transformista Briggita Lamoure called her "a brave woman, a fighter, a survivor."