Carla Goyanes is braving this holiday season, grappling with the weight of loss as her family faces their first Christmas without two of their most cherished members. The unexpected deaths of her father, Carlos Goyanes, at 79, and the passing of her sister, Caritina, just 19 days later, have turned this festive time of year bittersweet for the Goyanes family.
Set against the backdrop of grief, Carla continues to find strength and solace in family moments, determined to keep the festive spirit alive for the sake of the younger generation. Just this past Friday, December 20, she attended the Starlite Christmas concert featuring Colombian artist Camilo, accompanied by her son, Carlos, and her niece, Mini Cari. Both children are devoted fans of Camilo, and their excitement added joy to the evening, offering Carla fleeting moments of happiness amid her mourning.
"They deserve to be happy, and we have to keep moving forward," Carla said during the concert, illustrating her determination to maintain family ties and traditions even as she navigates this new reality. She emphasized the importance of appearing cheerful for the children, who provide motivation to celebrate and create joyful experiences, even when it feels almost impossible.
Reflecting on their recent losses, Carla expressed, "The people up above would love to see us like this, for ourselves and especially for them. It requires effort, and they (the kids) help so much." This sentiment underlines her belief in honoring the memory of her father and sister by continuing family traditions and instilling joy where possible.
Carla's mother, Cari Lapique, is also coping with the tragic losses, described by Carla as ‘doing okay’ and managing to find strength through their close-knit family. The holidays weigh heavily on Cari, yet she remains surrounded by her children and friends who provide supportive companionship during these somber times. According to Carla, they will spend Christmas together, continuing the family tradition—though the specifics of the location are still undecided, as moving back to their Marbella home may come too soon for the family.
During the concert, she donned warm attire suitable for the cold and shared the joyful moments online, showcasing how important it is to her to still connect with loved ones and have positive experiences. Carla highlighted, "Having fun and enjoying ourselves is what matters most. It’s something the kids deserve. My only wish for 2025 is lots of health, especially lots of health!"
Despite the overarching sorrow, Carla emphasizes resilience, focusing on her work as well. She’s stepping back onto the professional stage as she relaunches her career as a real estate agent at Agency A. She’s also preparing to aid at Esden Business School, delivering a masterclass on luxury real estate, intertwining her professional commitments with personal growth and healing.
Her engagement with work is more than just professional—it serves as therapy for her to channel her emotions positively. Embracing this fresh start, she sees her career efforts as honoring the legacy of her loved ones, motivating her to push through the hardship she currently faces.
With the festive season upon them, the Goyanes family seeks to create new traditions to celebrate the lives of those they have lost. It’s not about forgetting—they aim to incorporate the memory of Carlos and Caritina during gatherings, continuing to make memories and share moments of joy with the younger family members.
Through her grief, Carla Goyanes exemplifies the strength to choose joy, continually striving to uplift her family. With each plan they enact to celebrate the holidays, be it through gathering at concerts or incorporating the kids’ joys, the Goyanes family embodies the resilience of love and memory, proving they will carry on through the pain.
Even surrounded by the bittersweet echoes of loss, Carla remains committed to ensuring the holiday remains bright for her family, honoring the past and paving the way for the future.
