Daddy Yankee Wins Lawsuit Against Valencia Hotel for Jewelry Theft
The hotel must pay a compensation of $908,950
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JULY 26: Singer Daddy Yankee of Puerto Rico smiles during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Arsenal and FC Barcelona at SoFi Stadium on July 26, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Marco Steinbrenner/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
Daddy Yankee, on August 6, 2018, traveled to Valencia, Spain, for his performance at the Latin Fest in Gandía. He stayed at the Meliá Valencia Hotel, where a significant amount of his jewelry was stolen due to a security lapse by the hotel staff. The incident unfolded when the hotel’s reception mistakenly gave access to an unknown person who entered Daddy Yankee’s room and sought help from the hotel’s technical staff to open his room’s safe. The thief made off with all the valuable items inside.
Fast forward almost six years, and the Eighth Section of the Provincial Court of Valencia has ruled that the hotel must pay a compensation of $908,950. This decision came after an appeal by the artist’s lawyer, as the initial ruling had absolved the Meliá Valencia Hotel of any financial responsibility regarding the theft.
The court noted that Daddy Yankee often travels with a significant amount of valuable jewelry, which he usually stores in the hotel’s safe, as it complements his appearance during performances. The stolen jewelry included diamond earrings, three necklaces, three rings, four bracelets, and two watches that Daddy Yankee had brought to Valencia for his stay.
Among the Richest
Daddy Yankee originally aimed for a career in professional baseball but had to give it up after being shot with an AK-47. Over his more than 30-year career, Daddy Yankee has reached a fortune of $50 million. His famous song «Gasolina» even made history by entering the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress in the United States, becoming the first reggaeton song to achieve such recognition.
In the ranking of the wealthiest Latin artists, Gloria Estefan takes the lead with over $500 million, followed by Jennifer López with $400 million, and Shakira with $300 million in the top three spots. Other notable singers, including Pitbull, Marc Anthony, and Wisin y Yandel, also feature on this exclusive list.
Original article by Paula Díaz for LOS40 Spain.
