Mario Vaquerizo buys a new home in Spain: "I'm a capitalist, I love private property"
Mario Vaquerizo declares himself a capitalist and keeps buying houses. We look at the debate over champagne socialism, celebrity incomes and whether housing should be an investment asset.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
Vaquerizo: "I'm a capitalist" – private property and champagne socialism
Mario Vaquerizo has made headlines again after declaring on Spanish television, without mincing words, that he is a capitalist and loves buying houses. "Don't anyone come here telling me I'm doing it for capitalism. I'm a capitalist, I love private property," he said on 'Y ahora Sonsoles', sparking a fierce debate about the coherence of wealthy left-wing celebrities. According to figures that have come to light, the singer earns 30,000 euros per performance and his joint fortune with Alaska stands at 5 million euros. Can a millionaire be left-wing? Should housing be an investment asset?
Champagne socialism: between rhetoric and reality
The debate soon turned to other celebrities who claim to be left-wing but live in opulence. The most singled-out case was Wyoming, who in 2024 earned 360,000 euros for hosting 'El Intermedio', while the technicians on his show earn an average of 1,500 euros a month. "Why does Wyoming make 360K while the rest get 25K? Shouldn't everyone earn according to their effort?" ask those denouncing the hypocrisy. On the other side, people argue that Vaquerizo is at least honest and doesn't hide his ideology.
Housing: right or investment
The heart of the matter goes beyond the anecdote: housing has become the main fixed cost for families and businesses, and its price determines whether businesses can survive at all. Those opposed to property investment argue that "it should not be tolerated that housing is an investment asset, being the most basic need." Others, however, defend the right to buy houses with the fruits of one's labour, as Vaquerizo does. "If he likes buying houses and believes in bricks and mortar more than in bonds, where's the problem? He comes across as consistent and happy," some say. Critics reply that this individual freedom generates social exclusion.
The business of subsidised culture
A third strand of the debate points to the public funding of artists like Vaquerizo, who is hired by town councils to perform at local festivals. "I'd love to know how much he invoices to town councils and what percentage that represents of his income," some question, while others point out that culture in Spain is almost entirely funded by public money. "And only what degrades people gets funded," they add, referring to large pop concerts as opposed to classical music.
The question left hanging is whether Vaquerizo's honesty justifies a system that allows some to accumulate properties while others cannot access housing at all. Or whether, as he says, it is simply the result of his effort and work. The debate remains open.
Related discussions in the forum
Mario Vaquerizo has made headlines again after declaring on Spanish television, without mincing words, that he is a capitalist and loves buying houses. "Don't anyone come here telling me I'm doing it for capitalism. I'm a capitalist, I love private property," he said on 'Y ahora Sonsoles', sparking a fierce debate about the coherence of wealthy left-wing celebrities. According to figures that have come to light, the singer earns 30,000 euros per performance and his joint fortune with Alaska stands at 5 million euros. Can a millionaire be left-wing? Should housing be an investment asset?
Champagne socialism: between rhetoric and reality
The debate soon turned to other celebrities who claim to be left-wing but live in opulence. The most singled-out case was Wyoming, who in 2024 earned 360,000 euros for hosting 'El Intermedio', while the technicians on his show earn an average of 1,500 euros a month. "Why does Wyoming make 360K while the rest get 25K? Shouldn't everyone earn according to their effort?" ask those denouncing the hypocrisy. On the other side, people argue that Vaquerizo is at least honest and doesn't hide his ideology.
Housing: right or investment
The heart of the matter goes beyond the anecdote: housing has become the main fixed cost for families and businesses, and its price determines whether businesses can survive at all. Those opposed to property investment argue that "it should not be tolerated that housing is an investment asset, being the most basic need." Others, however, defend the right to buy houses with the fruits of one's labour, as Vaquerizo does. "If he likes buying houses and believes in bricks and mortar more than in bonds, where's the problem? He comes across as consistent and happy," some say. Critics reply that this individual freedom generates social exclusion.
The business of subsidised culture
A third strand of the debate points to the public funding of artists like Vaquerizo, who is hired by town councils to perform at local festivals. "I'd love to know how much he invoices to town councils and what percentage that represents of his income," some question, while others point out that culture in Spain is almost entirely funded by public money. "And only what degrades people gets funded," they add, referring to large pop concerts as opposed to classical music.
The question left hanging is whether Vaquerizo's honesty justifies a system that allows some to accumulate properties while others cannot access housing at all. Or whether, as he says, it is simply the result of his effort and work. The debate remains open.
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (39 replies).
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