Kiko Rivera discharged after second stroke, faces left-side rehab: 'The recovery won't be easy'

Hospitalization and discharge

Kiko Rivera suffered a second stroke on 22 July and was admitted to the Sagrado Corazón hospital in Seville. The 42-year-old DJ, son of singer Isabel Pantoja, described this stroke as stronger than the one he had in 2022 and attributed it to the stress of constant media pressure. He cancelled his summer tour that same day. On 26 July he received his discharge and returned home, sharing the news on 27 July via his private Instagram channel 'Equipo Titular', which has over 48,000 subscribers. He opened his message by thanking the hospital staff, saying, 'The human treatment I received has been simply wonderful.'

“I don't have enough words to thank you for everything you have done for me. You have been by my side when I needed you most.”

Recovery outlook

In his statement, Rivera acknowledged the difficult road ahead. 'Now begins a recovery that won't be easy. I have to regain mobility and strength on the left side of my body,' he wrote, adding that he is determined to succeed. He mentioned that some small residual effects remain but expects them to disappear with rehabilitation and hard work. The DJ also emphasized that his medical privacy was fully respected during the hospitalization, noting that even the fact of his discharge had not been leaked. He contrasted that with past experiences, writing, 'That shows there are still many people who understand what it means to respect a person's privacy.'

“Life is giving me a new opportunity and I intend to take full advantage of it.”

Family gratitude and the 'mole'

Rivera expressed deep gratitude to his mother, Isabel Pantoja, who travelled to Seville and visited him while also caring for his children. 'Thanks, mum, for looking after your grandchildren all these days and for always finding a moment to come and see me,' he wrote. He also thanked his partner Lola García for staying by his side 'every single second.' The statement contained a veiled reference to a person who previously leaked private information about him, a so-called 'mole.' Rivera asserted, without naming anyone, that 'that person, fortunately, is no longer part of my life' and that the mole had not been where many suspected.

Leak accusations and background

Following the statement, TV collaborator Pepe del Real claimed on the programme Vamos a Ver that Rivera's ex-partner Irene Rosales was the mole, a suggestion other panellists disputed. The discharge comes after a turbulent period for the musician: his Audi was stolen on 16 July, an event he cited as adding to the stress that precipitated the stroke. The family dynamic between Rivera and Pantoja has been strained in the past, but the recent hospital stay appears to have brought them closer. Rivera remarked that the discretion surrounding her visits shows that 'finally, we are doing things right.'