Iconic figure in Spanish music and culture, Alaska returns to El Hormiguero to present her new project. This time she has nothing to do with music, since she comes to promote the animated film ‘Garfield’, in which she voices the character of Jinx. Throughout her career she has done almost everything, and she became an ‘influencer’ decades ago, even before this concept became popular. She has earned a lot of money in her career and has known how to invest it in properties with her husband, Mario Vaquerizo.
Olvido Gara (1963), Alaska’s given name, was born in Mexico, but arrived in Madrid when he was only 10 years old with his mother. At that time he liked to walk through El Rastro to buy clubs and second-hand clothes while he dreamed of creating his own group. It didn’t take him long to achieve it. At just 16 years old he created ‘Alaska y los Pegamoides’ together with Nacho Canut, Carlos Berlanga, Ana Curra and Eduardo Benavente. They soon led the punk rock scene in the capital and became a figure of youth rebellion. ‘Bailando’ was his first big hit, which is still being heard.
Already in the 80s, as part of Alaska and Dinarama, he continued reaching number ones with songs like ‘Rey del Glam’, ‘Ni tú ni Nadie’ or ‘Who cares’, among others. Topics that became anthems of the Madrid scene. And in the 90s he created Fangoria, together with Nacho Canut. The biggest hits of this group, which is still in force, have been ‘I don’t know what you give me’ or ‘Espectacular’. Alaska’s last tour was in 2023, ‘Full Laser II’.
His presence in film and television.
In addition to music, Alaska has participated in different iconic Spanish television programs. She started with ‘The Crystal Ball’, then went through ‘Tonight We Crossed the Mississippi’ and ‘Lo + Plus’. Later, she began to collaborate in programs and reality shows such as ‘Mira qué baila’, ‘Pasapalabra’, ‘Masterchef’, ‘Survivientes’ or ‘Tu Cara me Sonya’. In many of them she is with Mario Vaquerizo, to whom she has been married for more than 20 years.
His multifaceted profile also allowed him to participate in films such as “Pepi, Luci, Bom and other girls from the pile” (1980) by Pedro Almodóvar, where he played a role to remember.
Businesses outside of music: fashion, representation…
Alaska married Mario Vaquerizo more than 20 years ago. Since then they have jointly participated in several of their businesses and investments beyond music and television. For example, they have tried their hand at the world of fashion with a clothing line named after her. They also represent artists and entertainment figures through ‘The Crystal Ball Talent Agency’.
But their best-known profile is shown through participation in events and collaborations, where they have known how to associate with big brands and different initiatives.
Mario Vaquerizo and Alaska’s brick investments
The effect of the pandemic would have affected them economically, like the entire industry business. As reported by Egos in 2022, its treasury would be about 200,000 euros. However, the couple’s ability to diversify their business activities and capitalize on their image as public personalities has allowed them to build a brick empire. Mainly, through investment in properties in Madrid.
They live in an apartment very close to Gran Vía Madrid that they bought more than 20 years ago, known as the Casa Rosa, inside a building from 1900. Two floors above they bought what they called Casa Azul, which they use for visits and hosting parties. . . They bought both homes at 50%. But “the idea is to have a hotel when we are older,” commented Mario Vaquerizo on Vicky Martín Berrocal’s podcast.
To do this, they want to “keep the entire building and the two premises below, one of which I already have. I have bought the locker room of my building and converted it into a dressing room. Our idea is to have a hotel when we are older,” he added. “I believe in bricks, I don’t believe in investment funds, nor in bonds.” That will always be worth money. I’m very antsy, but I also spend,” he concluded. In fact, they have another penthouse in Madrid that is equally valued. over half a million euros.
In addition, they have a villa in Boadilla del Monte on a plot of more than 2,000 square meters with more than 130 meters built. They bought it from Bibiana Fernández for 550.00 euros and use it as a summer home. In total, Alaska and Mario’s assets in brick exceed 5 million euros.
