On February 9, 2009, the lives of Dani Martín and his family were irrevocably altered when his sister, Miriam, passed away from a cerebral hemorrhage at just 36 years old. At the time, Dani was 33. Reflecting on this tragedy during his appearance on Jordi Évole's show on the Spanish network laSexta, Dani recounted how he received the devastating news.
"I was sleeping, and my phone was charging in the living room. I went to the living room and saw 75 missed calls from my mother. I called her back, and she told me my sister had died. It's a hard story, especially for them, because they lost their daughter, and that's something... I don't think you ever really place it in life," he shared.
The emotional aftermath of Miriam's passing became significant for Dani, who took on the role of protector for his parents, Carmen and José Manuel. Instead of succumbing to grief, he found himself trying to support them through their sorrow. "I discovered myself responding to this loss in ways I never would have imagined. I always thought, due to my sensitivity, if something like this happened, I would sink and wouldn't be able to go on. But suddenly, I found myself holding my family together, trying to uplift them, being the smile for my parents," he reflected during his first press interview with Elle magazine back in 2010.
Over the years, Dani has gradually learned to celebrate Miriam's life. With the tenth anniversary of her death approaching, he opened up about the lessons they all learned through their sorrow, noting, "They taught me such powerful lessons: the day after they lost Miriam, they were both back at work. And then the next day as well. Together, we managed to not let the sadness overwhelm us, something many families face. I've learned so much from this situation; what happens to me now is I wish I could have my sister here with me."
His latest song, "Cómo Me Gustaría Contarte," serves as both an emotional tribute and celebration of Miriam's life. The lyrics express longing and recount various milestones and experiences Dani has had since her passing, as if speaking to her directly. "I wait for you on the stairs where you used to shout, 'I'm leaving at 9' / How I wish I could tell you," he sings, evoking cherished memories of their life together.
Describing their relationship, Dani depicts Miriam as an incredible and talented person, distinctly different from him. "She was wonderful, discreet, and didn’t like drawing attention. She preferred to keep her life low-key rather than being known as the sister of the guy from El Canto del Loco," he explained. To pay homage, he symbolically tattooed the letter 'M' on both wrists, reminding him of her presence every day.
Miriam was known for her passion as she worked as a veterinarian, which only deepens the sentiment behind Dani’s poignant song "El Cielo de los Perros," written to honor her memory. “For me, you are part of my life, taken from me without my permission and swiftly,” he expresses, demonstrating the depth of his grief.
Despite the heartache and loss, the Martín family continues to find ways to keep Miriam’s memory alive. Dani’s upcoming tour, celebrating 25 years of his career, is infused with this spirit of remembrance. "This tour embodies all my fans, but it is also about paying homage to those who are no longer here, to those who watch over us, and to those who continue to shine from their resting places," he stated.
Reflecting on the passage of time since Miriam’s death, Dani admits the pain has softened, allowing room for more joyful remembrance. He finds solace during family gatherings and even during Christmas, where he once struggled to acknowledge her absence.
"We’ve come back to celebrate Christmas. There was a time when we didn’t feel like celebrating or talking about her. Today, I love to talk about Miriam. I miss her dearly," he expressed.
He remembers their playful disagreements fondly; Dani recounted how Miriam would criticize his music, insisting her favorites were infinitely superior. “You reminded me the real artist at home was mom. The only close leader was dad. How right you were, sister. You made me grow, and strive harder,” he said with gratitude.
The upcoming song and the associated visual homage, featuring dancers and actresses closely linked to Miriam's life and profession, strive to reflect her legacy vividly and joyfully. Dani is eager to continue this tradition of honoring his sister as he shares their stories and memories with the world.
Now, with every performance and every lyric, Dani Martín seeks to keep Miriam’s spirit alive, manifesting his love through the music and memories they shared.