Rossy de Palma

Rosa Elena García Echave, known as Rossy de Palma, is a renowned Spanish actress and model. Born on 16 September 1964 in Palma, Balearic Islands, Spain, she has been famously recognised for her roles in films by acclaimed director Pedro Almodóvar. These include titles such as 'Law of Desire', 'Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown', 'Kika', 'The Flower of My Secret', 'Julieta', and 'Parallel Mothers'. During the 1980s, she moved to Madrid as part of the cultural movement known as Movida. Her entertainment career began with the pop music group 'Peor Impossible' which she founded in 1984. She served as both a singer and dancer for the group. However, her breakthrough came in 1986 when Pedro Almodóvar offered her a role in 'Law of Desire' after being impressed by her performance during one of the group's concerts. She even lent her personal dresses for use in the film.

Going on to become part of Almodóvar's recurring cast, Rossy de Palma rose to prominence particularly after her major role in 'Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown'. In addition to acting, she has also modelled for designers such as Jean-Paul Gaultier, Thierry Mugler, and Sybilla. She featured in Robert Altman's 1994 fashion film 'Prêt-à-Porter', and appeared in the music video for George Michael's 'Too Funky'. Today, residing in Paris, she continues to act and model. Since 2010 she expanded her career into theatre and charity work, as the spokeswoman for Ghanaian charity OrphanAid Africa. Her ventures in the fashion industry include a perfume line under her name with Etat libre d'Orange (2007) and being the face for luxury ad campaigns. In 2015, she served on the jury for the Cannes Film Festival and she was appointed a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for cultural diversity in 2022.