REMEDIOS DEL RÍO / NIETO

You were born into a wealthy family, in a financially comfortable environment, so you could have simply led a life of leisure… Yet you decided to fight hard in life, and today you are a highly regarded woman for your professional career in Marbella and Benahavis. Tell us what your greatest legacies are.

 My first legacy, my children, and then a pharmacy. From behind the counter of the pharmacy, you notice many necessities, so I founded ASPANDEM. I set up this association because I was asked for help by some parents. When I arrived here, I did a bit of everything, I was in the Red Cross. I worked with Countess Larisch, handling press, radio and television, and a bit of P.R. My husband was also president of the Maritime Red Cross, I worked selling the first UNICEF Christmas cards with Carmen Lizarza. I also worked in a cancer association, when Marita, Cristina Perla were there. And I was, and still am, president of the Athenaeum of Visual Arts of Marbella. My father and my husband have always told me not to seek protagonism, but if I was asked to do something, and I was able to, I had the obligation. Something my father used to say to me was “If I was born to be a spring, I had to give water”. And I’ve been fortunate, I have a husband who has loved me, and still loves me, and as his sight is failing, he still sees me as blonde. And finally, I’m also vice-president of Spanish Friends of Tel Aviv University, I’m president and governor of the University.

Which is your favourite room in your home, where you feel most comfortable?

The library, which you’re already familiar with, but that’s something private of mine. Now, I feel very comfortable anywhere, the thing is, this library has a special energy.

With such an extensive library, what’s your favorite book and why?

I would highlight “Oceana” by Neruda, with illustrations by Pepe Caballero, because it’s very special, as you’ve already seen, and “The Little Prince”, because who doesn’t feel like a little prince? And everything he says, if you really look at it and understand it, is a perfect standard for life.