Witness History The death of Franco
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Nov 19, 2025 José Antonio Martínez-Soler, a Spanish journalist who covered Franco's death, shares gripping firsthand experiences from that tumultuous period. He vividly recounts the moment he learned of Franco's passing, a mix of celebration and relief. José Antonio details the intense atmosphere outside the hospital, the public's emotional responses, and the challenges of censorship journalists faced. He reveals personal risks, including his abduction and torture for reporting on Guardia Civil purges, and reflects on the hope for democracy following decades of dictatorship.
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The Night Franco Died
- José Antonio Martínez-Soler waited outside La Paz hospital and learned Franco had died in the early morning call that woke him.
- He celebrated with his wife and felt a personal sense that an era in Spain had ended.
Censorship On Day One
- Martínez-Soler had a special edition of Doblon confiscated by police on the day Franco died over an offence about Franco's widow.
- He lobbied contacts, met the information minister, and secured permission to distribute the magazine.
A Promise Of Transition
- The minister told Martínez-Soler his generation would eventually rule Spain and urged patience.
- That moment sparked hope that Franco's death could open a path to democracy.
