Manolete

For the film, see Manolete (film).

This name uses Spanish naming customs; the first or paternal family name is Rodríguez and the second or maternal family name is Sánchez.

Manolete

Monument to Manolete in front of the bullring in Linares
Personal information
Born	Manuel Laureano Rodríguez Sánchez 4 July 1917(1917-07-04) Córdoba, Andalucia, Spain
Died	29 August 1947(1947-08-29) (aged 30) Linares, Andalucia, Spain
Alias	Manolete
Nationality	Spanish
Career
Role	Matador
Début novillero	1931
Alternativa	2 July 1939 Real Maestranza de Sevilla

Manuel Laureano Rodríguez Sánchez (4 July 1917 – 29 August 1947), better known as Manolete, was a Spanish bullfighter.

He rose to prominence shortly after the Spanish Civil War and is considered by some to be the greatest bullfighter of all time. His style was sober and serious, with few concessions to the gallery, and he excelled at the 'suerte de matar'—the kill. Manolete's contribution to bullfighting included being able to stand very still while passing the bull close to his body and, rather than giving the passes separately, he was able to remain in one spot and link four or five consecutive passes together into compact series. He popularized a pass with the muleta called the "Manoletina," which is normally given just before entering to kill with the sword. In addition to all of the major bullrings of Spain, he had very important triumphs in Plaza Mexico.

He died following a goring in the right upper leg as he killed the fifth bull of the day, the Miura bull Islero, an event that left Spain in a state of shock. Manolete received his fatal goring in the town of Linares where he appeared alongside the up-and-coming matador Luis Miguel Dominguín, who, after Manolete's death, proclaimed himself to be number one. In response to Manolete's death, General Francisco Franco, then dictator of Spain, ordered three days of "national mourning", during which only funeral dirges were heard on the radio.

Films

Year	Film	Director	Person
2007	Manolete	Menno Meyjes	Adrien Brody
1948	Brindis a Manolete	Florián Rey	Pedro Ortega

See also

• Manolete (film)
• Torero (film)

External links

• Manolete at Spanish-Fiestas.com
• Manolete, Estrella Internacional La Cueva de Zaratustra

Persondata
Name	Manolete
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	4 July 1917
Place of birth	Córdoba, Andalucia, Spain
Date of death	29 August 1947
Place of death	Linares, Andalucia, Spain