It's Official: Cayetano Rivera Confirms the Open Secret About Mario Vargas Llosa

The world of culture and society remains shocked after the recent loss of Mario Vargas Llosa. The Nobel Prize in Literature passed away last April 13 at his home in Lima at the age of 89 due to pneumonia. Since then, social media have been filled with heartfelt tributes, but one of them has especially caught attention: that of Cayetano Rivera Ordóñez.

The bullfighter surprised everyone with a message on his Instagram account, where he revealed his close and unknown friendship with the writer. How did this special relationship between two seemingly different figures begin?

Cayetano Rivera Confirms His Secret Friendship with Mario Vargas Llosa

The writer's three children were responsible for communicating the sad news through an official statement. In it, besides confirming the date and cause of death, they highlighted their father's desire for an intimate farewell.

"There will be no public ceremony. Our mother, our children, and we ourselves trust to have the space and privacy to say goodbye to him with family and close friends. His remains, as was his will, will be cremated," they commented.

The announcement opened the door to memories and confessions from public figures who, until now, had kept their ties with the author. Among them, Cayetano Rivera's has been one of the most unexpected.

The bullfighter posted a photo on his social media with Mario Vargas Llosa in which they appear smiling. "Dear friend Mario, the whole world will miss you... Thank you for so much. Have a good journey," he wrote.

The bullfighter's message has brought to light a personal bond that remained in the shadows for the public. Over the years, they kept a close relationship, built on mutual admiration and a shared vision of art, aesthetics, and tradition.

Until now, it wasn't widely known that Mario Vargas Llosa felt a deep fascination for bullfighting and, specifically, for the figure of Cayetano. In fact, they say he considered him a reference of elegance and bravery in the ring.

A Discreet Connection, but with a Lasting Impact

The relationship between Mario Vargas Llosa and Cayetano Rivera wasn't forged overnight. Their encounters began more than a decade ago when the Nobel started attending various bullfighting fairs in Spain, attracted by the cultural and identity component of the bullfighting festival.

It was in that context where he met Cayetano, whose classic and refined style perfectly matched the writer's taste. Since then, they shared numerous conversations, private dinners, and family celebrations. Although neither ever publicly flaunted that friendship, we now know there was a respect and closeness that transcended the professional realm.

That admiration translated into constant invitations from the writer to the bullfighter to participate in his most exclusive celebrations. One of the most notable was the party organized at the Jaral de la Mira estate in San Lorenzo de El Escorial. This was to honor the chair that bears the Nobel's name.

Although Mario Vargas Llosa couldn't attend in person due to his delicate health condition, the evening was presided over by his son Álvaro. Then, Cayetano Rivera performed for the attendees as a show of respect and affection.

The message from Cayetano Rivera not only confirms the open secret of his friendship with Mario Vargas Llosa but also reveals a connection that transcended the spotlight. At a time when the world bids farewell to a universal figure, the bullfighter's gesture further humanizes the writer's legacy. How many more personal stories remain to be discovered behind the work and figure of the Nobel Prize in Literature?