The Death Of Diego Puerta

Diego Puerta, one of the most beloved figures of  Spanish bullfighting in the 1960s and 1970s, died recently   after a lengthy illness. Following his retirement from the ring, he had spent decades operating a bull ranch where he raised animals for younger men to fight.

At the height of his career, Puerta was considered a figura. He had triumphs in Madrid, Sevilla, Barcelona and all the other major rings in Spain as well as success in the smaller rings. while he likewise made appearance sin Mexico and South America.

He frequently alternated on carteles with other toreros of maximum power from the same era, such as Paco Camino, El Cordobes and Antonio Ordonez. At times he even surpassed them. He was willing to face the Miuras and other breeds many of his contemporaries avoided.

The torero paid the price for his persistence, taking a massive amount of punishment and several near-fatal; gorings for his efforts, but he always made a comeback.

Many books in English devoted sections to him and photos, including The Swords Of Spain, Bullfight and How To Fight A Bull. Much more was written about him in the Spanish books, of course, with particular reference to the Botan releases from the late 1960s-early 1970s, covering an annual photographic recap of the Madrid season.

Two pasodobles written in his honor also survive him.