![CHARO I'm a SURVIVOR](https://cdn.magzter.com/1626675679/1657720136/articles/TDW23YMyu1658233775967/CHARO-IM-A-SURVIVOR.jpg)
Long before the world was inundated with one-named celebrities, there was Charo. A TV fixture throughout the 1960s and '70s, the Spainborn comedian, actress, and flamenco guitarist charmed audiences with her beauty, sparkle, and willingness to make fun of herself. "I said, 'OK, I have an accent, and it's never going to change,'" Charo, 71, tells Closer. "I'm going to have fun. Every time I open my mouth, it gets me in trouble, but I am turning my accent into a positive."
That moxie has taken Charo far- and not just in her professional life. In 2019, she unexpectedly lost her husband-manager, Kjell Rasten, to suicide. The couple had been married for over 40 years and have one adult son together. "It's unbelievable how overnight things can happen that can take you to the darkest place," Charo says. "But there is a way to survive. You have to be strong."
You've known difficult times before. Your family fled Spain during Francisco Franco's reign. What do you recall of that period?
I am nothing special. Every person has their own story. In the first few years of my life, we felt rich, but then overnight you don't know where your father is and you see your mother crying quietly when she thought we weren't watching. We were kicked out of the property that we owned for hundreds of years. I didn't see my father again until I was 18.
What was your father like?
My father was an advocate for freedom, education, and equality. Before he left Spain, he worked hard to make my sister and I understand that we needed an education. Education is priceless. He also made my sister and I swear we would never get involved with politics. If he had not, I would be a congresswoman today!
Really? Why?
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة July 25, 2022 من Closer US.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة July 25, 2022 من Closer US.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
![DIANA RIGG Always Ahead of Her Time](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/25338/1821379/9pmEJccrk1725524394673/DIANA-RIGG-ALWAYS-AHEAD-OF-HER-TIME.jpg)
DIANA RIGG Always Ahead of Her Time
THE STAR OF TV'S THE AVENGERS FOUGHT SEXISM AND REVELED IN EVERY KIND OF ACTING ROLE
![HALLE BERRY FIGHTING for My Family](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/25338/1821379/gcT5EEgs71725524311225/HALLE-BERRY-FIGHTING-FOR-MY-FAMILY.jpg)
HALLE BERRY FIGHTING for My Family
THE OSCAR-WINNING ACTRESS WANTS HER TWO CHILDREN TO BE WELL PREPARED FOR BRIGHT FUTURES
![Memories of My Father, LAURENCE OLIVIER](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/25338/1821379/qk4XNkegV1725524117510/MEMORIES-OF-MY-FATHER-LAURENCE-OLIVIER.jpg)
Memories of My Father, LAURENCE OLIVIER
IN HIS LATER YEARS, THE GREAT BRITISH ACTOR EMBRACED A SIMPLER LIFESTYLE
![MICHAEL RICHARDS Why I'm HAPPIER TODAY](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/25338/1821379/5BL-kjFQt1725523729460/MICHAEL-RICHARDS-WHY-IM-HAPPIER-TODAY.jpg)
MICHAEL RICHARDS Why I'm HAPPIER TODAY
The Seinfeld alum talks about his new memoir, raising a son and his fresh lease on life
![5 WAYS TO STOP HUNGER PANGS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/25338/1821379/HDkDJjkmo1725523619572/5-WAYS-TO-STOP-HUNGER-PANGS.jpg)
5 WAYS TO STOP HUNGER PANGS
BEFORE YOU START SNACKING, TRY ONE OF THESE EASY TIPS!
![Creative Ways With HUMBLE BEANS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/25338/1821379/gZ5DGGeoF1725523367356/CREATIVE-WAYS-WITH-HUMBLE-BEANS.jpg)
Creative Ways With HUMBLE BEANS
Fast, easy and flavorful, these recipes give protein- and fiber-rich beans a delicious facelift
![The PRINCESS DIANA Only I Knew](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/25338/1821379/0s5ny6YJU1725523179800/THE-PRINCESS-DIANA-ONLY-I-KNEW.jpg)
The PRINCESS DIANA Only I Knew
THE ROYAL'S PRIVATE BALLET INSTRUCTOR OF NEARLY A DECADE SHARES THE SECRETS OF THEIR FRIENDSHIP
![BARBARA STANWYCK The Man She Couldn't Forget](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/25338/1821379/V5wlS6vuh1725522976765/BARBARA-STANWYCK-THE-MAN-SHE-COULDNT-FORGET.jpg)
BARBARA STANWYCK The Man She Couldn't Forget
THE SCREEN LEGEND NEVER MARRIED AGAIN AFTER SPLITTING UP WITH ACTOR ROBERT TAYLOR
![RAQUEL WELCH PERSONAL TREASURES FOR SALE](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/25338/1821379/nVma-_fmc1725522874017/RAQUEL-WELCH-PERSONAL-TREASURES-FOR-SALE.jpg)
RAQUEL WELCH PERSONAL TREASURES FOR SALE
On Sept. 5-what would have been Raquel Welch's 84th birthday fans and collectors can bid on more than 250 items personally owned by the late entertainer.
![She Was an INDEPENDENT SPIRIT](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/25338/1813600/7iB2iAzLt1724927536799/SHE-WAS-AN-INDEPENDENT-SPIRIT.jpg)
She Was an INDEPENDENT SPIRIT
THE STAR OF THE NOTEBOOK HAD AN INNATE TALENT FOR BRINGING COMPLICATED WOMEN TO VIVID LIFE