Asunción Balaguer: "Mi trabajo es lo que más he amado en el mundo"

The full interview is available at http://www.telemadrid.es/contigoqueri... Asunción Balaguer (Manresa, 1925), married since 1951 to fellow actor Francisco Rabal, whom she widowed in 2001, has always been one of the leading ladies of Spanish acting. She left her acting career for love to raise her children, something she says she "would do again." Now, she is experiencing a second youth and enjoying success in her later years. She admits that she is working more than ever because, she affirms, "My work is what I have loved most in this world." At 90 years old, she continues to take on all kinds of roles, even playing a lesbian in her latest film. She acknowledges that her daughter was surprised to see her in this new role, but she was clear about it: "Honey, I'm an actress, and actresses have to do everything," she told Teresa Rabal. Always with a smile on her face, she says it's the best way to attract "good energy." Talking to Asunción Balaguer is talking about Paco Rabal, her husband whom she "adored and to whom she was always very faithful," despite knowing he was "flirting" with others. She says she couldn't be angry because they knew each other before they were married, and she knew "who I was marrying." When Asunción Balaguer speaks of her "Paco," it's clear, as she says time and again, that she "adored him." Cristina Tárrega reminds her of a conversation they had years ago in which Asunción admitted she wanted to die to be with him, something she still thinks about. She has no fear of death, and that "is a great liberation," she affirms. When infidelity is discussed, Asunción "wouldn't vouch for any man," but she would marry Paco Rabal again a hundred times over, because she was his friend, his love, his mother, his sister... "I wanted to be everything," she says. She acknowledges that it's only now, with the passing of years, that she has begun to value herself. The affection of people and her profession has made her feel that she "has her worth." She takes care of herself, eats what doesn't harm her, and is happy. Despite being Catalan by birth, she feels like a true Madrileña through and through and affirms that: "Every little corner of Madrid has a special flavor for me, and I couldn't leave." She has reminisced about her childhood, her parents' arranged marriage, and spoken about her children, her grandchildren, and some of her colleagues.