He’s known as the King of Latin Pop, with millions of fans the world over.
And the relatively reclusive Enrique Iglesias made a rare and showy appearance at the 2020 Billboard Latin Music Awards earlier this week, to accept a highly prestigious honor.
The Hero crooner, 45, showed up at the live event in Sunrise, Florida for Billboard’s Top Latin Artist of All Time award, which he accepted with a gracious speech in Spanish.
Rare appearance: The relatively reclusive Enrique Iglesias made a rare and showy appearance at the 2020 Billboard Latin Music Awards earlier this week, to accept a prestigious honor
The father-of-three was presented the award by none other than Pitbull, whom he thanked along with his team and, of course, his fans during the speech.
Wearing one of his trademark loose knit beanie hats, Enrique called the trophy a ‘very special award,’ and singled out his fans for their support throughout his unparalleled career.
The Madrid-born superstar got his start in the mid-1990s, at first insisting to NOT use his already famous surname – Enrique is son to legendary Spanish singer Julio Iglesias.
High honor: The Hero crooner showed up at the live event in Sunrise, Florida on Wednesday, for Billboard’s Top Latin Artist of All Time award
By the turn of the millennium, however, the younger Iglesias was a successful crossover act in both the Latin as well as English-language music markets, thanks in part to his 1999 megahit Bailamos.
Now, the artist – who shares three young children with his longtime partner, tennis star Anna Kournikova – is preparing for a North American tour late next year with Ricky Martin.
Meanwhile, Wednesday’s Billboard Latin Music Awards honored some other top acts, including Daddy Yankee, Bad Bunny, Banda MS and Romeo Santos.
Meanwhile: The Billboard Latin Music Awards honored some other top acts, including Daddy Yankee (pictured), Bad Bunny, Banda MS and Romeo Santos
Daddy Yankee and Bad Bunny were the big winners of the night, each taking home seven accolades.
Yankee was honored with multiple awards for his track Con Calma featuring Snow of Informer fame, including hot Latin song of the year, airplay song of the year, and streaming song of the year.
The Puerto Rican musician was also honored for the ubiquitous hit Despacito, along with Luis Fonsi, as they received the Billboard Latin Song of the Decade award.
Giving thanks: Yankee was also honored for the ubiquitous hit Despacito, along with Luis Fonsi (pictured), as they received the Billboard Latin Song of the Decade award
That 2019 hit, of course, became even more popular when Justin Bieber released a remix.
Bunny, meanwhile, scored the artist of the year award, along with songwriter of the year, top Latin album of the year for X 100PRE, and top Latin albums artist of the year, male.
Santos, known as the King of Bachata, received the Billboard Top Latin Album of the Decade Award, for Formula: Vol. 2.
And handsome Colombian superstar Maluma, who also performed at the event, won the Billboard Spirit of Hope award.
Accolades: Handsome Colombian superstar Maluma, who also performed at the event, won the Billboard Spirit of Hope award