Dani Martín, one of Spain’s most beloved singers and a defining voice of a generation, has shared deeply personal memories about the loss of his sister, Miriam, who passed away on February 9, 2009, at the age of 34 due to a stroke. During an emotional interview on the Spanish program ‘100% únicos’, the former El Canto del Loco frontman—now 49—recalled the moment he learned of her death. “I found out when I looked at my phone and saw 57 missed calls from my mother,” he revealed, visibly moved. “Before returning her call, I knew the answer I was about to get was not going to be good.”
Martín, who rose to fame in 2000 with hits like ‘Zapatillas’ and ‘La madre de José’ before launching a successful solo career, described the tragedy as a turning point for him and his family. “Losing a sibling changes your life. Anyone who has been through it knows,” he said. He reflected on how he suddenly became the emotional pillar for his parents, Manuel and Carmen. “It’s like you become the parent of your own parents. I say that with love, and I would do it a hundred million times again,” he explained, adding that he took on the role of “holding the world up” while grappling with his own grief.
The loss profoundly altered their traditions. “We stopped celebrating Christmas for several years,” Martín admitted, noting the difficulty of finding joy in holiday seasons that were once filled with shared memories. Over time, he has learned to transform the pain. “If you work through what happened, you have no choice but to keep enjoying life. It’s much better to smile and have a good time than to live in sadness,” he stated.
In recent years, the family has started celebrating Christmas again, though the nostalgia remains. Miriam’s presence is still felt in everyday life. “She’s in the scent of my parents, in Sundays when I have lunch with them, and above all, in a countless number of memories,” he said. That influence also shapes his music, particularly in songs like ‘Cómo me gustaría contarte’, where he updates his sister on everything that has happened since her passing.
During the interview, Martín also openly discussed his long-standing mental health struggles. He believes he has ADHD, though he was never officially diagnosed as a child. “I’m convinced I’ve had it, even without a diagnosis,” he shared, speaking candidly about the challenges he has faced over the years.
