Kiko Rivera suffers second stroke, says 'constant media pressure' is to blame and cancels summer tour

The announcement

Kiko Rivera, the 42-year-old Spanish DJ and son of singer Isabel Pantoja, revealed on Thursday 23 July that he has suffered a second stroke. The news came hours after he had canceled his entire summer tour, citing a "serious health problem" in a post on Wednesday evening. In a follow-up Instagram statement at 11 a.m., he confirmed the stroke and said it was "a little stronger" than the one he experienced in October 2022.

I have suffered a stroke again. This time it has been a little stronger. Probably stress has had a lot to do with it. I have been living under constant media pressure for too long, with my name present every day on televisions, social networks and headlines.

His condition and recovery

Rivera said he is "fortunately well" but that the stroke has left "some small sequelae" which he hopes will disappear with time, rehabilitation, and hard work. He did not specify the nature of the sequelae, though after his 2022 stroke he experienced temporary facial paralysis and mobility issues. He is currently admitted to the Hospital Sagrado Corazón in Seville, where his girlfriend, dancer Lola García, visited him on Thursday morning. She appeared visibly worried and declined to speak to the press.

Life gives me another chance. And this time I am not going to waste it. I have tried to take care of my health and move forward, but there comes a moment when one also needs peace to live.

Family response

Isabel Pantoja traveled to Seville after being seen at the city's airport, according to witnesses cited by ABC. She was expected to join her son at the hospital, where she would coincide with García. The family has closed ranks around Rivera, who has had a turbulent public life, including a public divorce from Irene Rosales and a reconciliation with his mother that played out across Spanish television.

A pattern of health scares

Rivera's first stroke occurred on 21 October 2022 and required emergency admission to the Virgen del Rocío hospital in Seville. In July 2023, he underwent a cardiac catheterization for a heart condition, telling followers that "a part of my heart does not work properly." He has also publicly acknowledged past drug addiction problems in 2019. The accumulation of health episodes has now led him to a decisive break.

What changes now

Rivera announced that he will suspend all professional commitments, including approximately 20 remaining summer tour dates, to focus entirely on his recovery. He said he will no longer tolerate situations that put his health at risk and will set firm boundaries. He also warned that only he and his immediate family will provide information about his health, asking followers to disregard any statements from outside that circle.

From today I am going to prioritize myself. My peace of mind, my family and my recovery are above everything. The time has come to set limits and to prioritize my well-being above all. I am not going to keep enduring situations that put my health at risk. It is time to change many things.

His Instagram post had nearly 250,000 views within 30 minutes, reflecting the intense public interest that he now says he needs to escape.