Who Is José Carreras? Age, Biography and Wiki
José Carreras, born on December 5, 1946, is a renowned Spanish tenor celebrated for his powerful voice and emotive performances. As of 2025, Carreras is 78 years old. He is best known for his contributions to the world of opera and for his participation in the Three Tenors alongside Plácido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti, which brought opera to a broader audience. Carreras’s journey began at a young age, and his dedication to music has earned him numerous accolades throughout his illustrious career.
| Occupation | Opera Singer |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | December 5, 1946 |
| Age | 78 Years |
| Birth Place | Barcelona, Spain |
| Horoscope | Sagittarius |
| Country | Spain |
Popularity
José Carreras's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
José Carreras has a charismatic stage presence, standing at approximately 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) tall. Throughout his career, he has maintained a healthy physique. While specific weight measurements can fluctuate, he has typically kept his weight around 150 pounds (68 kg). His body stats reflect the disciplines of his lifestyle, allowing him to perform with vigor and stamina.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
José Carreras has been married twice. He tied the knot with his first wife, the opera singer, in the early 1970s, but the couple later divorced. In 1990, he married his current wife, a German-born woman named Miriam Carreras. Together, they have welcomed a daughter, in addition to Carreras’s two children from his previous marriage. While there have not been any public disclosures about Carreras's romantic life apart from his marriage, he remains a private figure when it comes to personal relationships.
He showed an early talent for music and particularly singing, which intensified at the age of six when he saw Mario Lanza in The Great Caruso.
The story recounted in his autobiography and numerous interviews is that after seeing the film, Carreras sang the arias incessantly to his family, especially "La donna è mobile", often locking himself in the family's bathroom when they became exasperated with his impromptu concerts.
At that point, his parents, with the encouragement of his grandfather Salvador Coll, an amateur baritone, found the money for music lessons for him. At first he studied piano and voice with Magda Prunera, the mother of one of his childhood friends, and at the age of eight, he also started taking music lessons at Barcelona's Municipal Conservatory.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, José Carreras has an estimated net worth of around $150 million. His wealth comes not only from his successful career as an opera singer but also from various philanthropic efforts and ventures in the arts. Carreras has been involved in numerous charitable projects, especially those focused on leukemia research, as he himself is a leukemia survivor.
Career, Business and Investments
Carreras's career spans over five decades, during which he has released numerous albums and performed in prestigious opera houses around the world. Post-1990, after recovering from leukemia, he has continued to enchant audiences while also engaging in philanthropic activities, particularly advocating for bone marrow donation and cancer research. In business, Carreras has explored investments in music-related ventures, ensuring that his legacy continues in the arts.
Born in Barcelona, he made his debut on the operatic stage at 11 as Trujamán in Manuel de Falla's El retablo de Maese Pedro, and went on to a career that encompassed over 60 roles, performing in the world's leading opera houses and on numerous recordings.
He gained fame with a wider audience as one of the Three Tenors, with Plácido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti, in a series of large concerts from 1990 to 2003.
He is also known for his humanitarian work as president of the José Carreras International Leukaemia Foundation (La Fundació Internacional Josep Carreras per a la Lluita contra la Leucèmia), which he established following his own recovery from the disease in 1988.
Social Network
In 2025, José Carreras remains active on social media platforms where he shares glimpses of his life, career updates, and his philanthropic efforts. His official Instagram account boasts hundreds of thousands of followers, where he frequently interacts with fans, promoting a sense of community among classical music lovers and operatic enthusiasts.
At just eight years old, he also gave his first public performance, singing "La donna è mobile", accompanied by Magda Prunera on the piano, on Spanish National Radio. A recording of this still exists and can be heard on the video biography, José Carreras – A Life Story.
On 3 January 1958, at the age of eleven, he made his debut in Barcelona's great opera house, the Gran Teatre del Liceu, singing the boy soprano role of Trujamán in Manuel de Falla's El retablo de Maese Pedro. A few months later, he sang for the last time as a boy soprano at the Liceu in the second act of La Bohème.
Education
José Carreras received his early training in music through formal lessons and various music conservatories. His relentless pursuit of excellence led him to hone his skills under the guidance of esteemed mentors throughout his educational journey in the classical arts. This foundation has significantly contributed to his exceptional vocal capabilities and his understanding of the operatic genre.
Carreras has received numerous awards and distinctions for both his artistic and humanitarian work.
These include: Knight Grand Cross (First Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant of Thailand (2019); Commander of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres and Chevalier of the Légion d'honneur (France); Knight Grand Cross and Grand Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (20 May 1996 and 3 April 1991, respectively); Grand Dec
oration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria (1999); the Cruz de Oro del Orden Civil de la Solidaridad Social from Queen Sofia of Spain, the Prince of Asturias Prize for Art (joint winner, 1991), the Grand Cross of Merit from the Federal Republic of Germany and the Gold Medal of the Generalitat of Catalonia (June 1984).
