Juan del Val Crowned Premio Planeta 2025 Winner with 'Vera, una historia de amor'

Juan del Val Secures Premio Planeta 2025

Juan del Val has been announced as the winner of the Premio Planeta 2025 for his novel 'Vera, una historia de amor'. The prestigious literary award, presented on October 15, 2025, at the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (MNAC) in Barcelona, Spain, also recognized Ángela Banzas as the finalist for her work 'Cuando el viento hable'. Del Val receives a prize of one million euros, while Banzas is awarded 200,000 euros, making the Premio Planeta the most financially endowed literary award globally.

'Vera, una historia de amor': A Tale of Freedom and Passion

Juan del Val, a Madrid-born writer and communicator known for his roles as a screenwriter, talk show host, and author, secured the top honor with his novel 'Vera, una historia de amor'. The novel, presented under the pseudonym Elvira Torres, delves into the life of Vera, a middle-aged woman from Seville's high society. Trapped in a marriage with a marquis, Vera embarks on a relationship with a younger man of humble origins, leading her on a journey of self-discovery and liberation. The jury highlighted the novel's exploration of universal themes such as class differences, the complexities of desire, and the struggle for personal freedom, noting its blend of passion, freedom, and social inequality with 'some thriller elements'. Del Val dedicated his award to his wife, Nuria Roca, stating, 'Without you, nothing makes sense. You are my life.'

Ángela Banzas Recognized as Finalist for 'Cuando el viento hable'

The finalist of the 74th edition of the Premio Planeta is Galician writer Ángela Banzas for her novel 'Cuando el viento hable'. Banzas, who submitted her manuscript under the pseudonym Sofía García and with the provisional title 'El color de la lluvia', presented a psychological thriller with gothic undertones. Set in rural Galicia during the post-war period, the story follows Sofía, who was raised by her grandparents and uncovers deep family secrets and absences. Her journey leads to the discovery of a lost twin sister, with the narrative praised for its sensitivity and narrative strength. Banzas, born in Santiago de Compostela in 1982, has a background in Political Science and Administration.

The Prestigious Premio Planeta

The Premio Planeta de Novela, established in 1952 by José Manuel Lara Hernández, founder of the Planeta publishing house, aims to promote authors and attract new readers. It is renowned for being the literary award with the largest economic endowment in the world, surpassing even the Nobel Prize in Literature. The 2025 edition saw a record participation of 1,320 original manuscripts, underscoring its significant impact on the Spanish literary landscape. Both 'Vera, una historia de amor' and 'Cuando el viento hable' are scheduled for release in bookstores on November 5.