Plácido Domingo Biography: Height, Ethnicity, Age, Net Worth, Siblings, Parents, Children, Wife, Songs, Awards

José Plácido Domingo Embil, known as Plácido Domingo, is a renowned Spanish opera singer, conductor, and arts administrator.

Celebrated for his versatility across multiple languages and major opera houses, he has performed over 150 roles in more than 4,000 performances worldwide.

Domingo is regarded as one of opera’s most influential figures, having had a career spanning six decades.

Initially a baritone, he gained fame as a tenor—notably in Verdi’s Otello—before returning to baritone roles in the 2010s.

Profile

• Full Name: José Plácido Domingo Embil
• Stage Name: Placido Domingo
• Born: January 21, 1941
• Age: 84 years old
• Birthplace: Madrid, Spain
• Nationality: Spanish
• Occupation: Spanish opera singer, conductor, and arts administrator
• Height: 1.81 m
• Parent: Plácido Francisco Domingo Ferrer and Josefa “Pepita” Embil Echániz,
• Siblings: Maria José “Mari Pepa” Domingo de Fernandez
• Spouse: Marta Domingo (m. 1962)
• Children: Plácido Domingo Jr., José Plácido Domingo Guerra, Alvaro Maurizio Domingo
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $300 million

Early Life And Education

José Plácido Domingo Embil was born on January 21, 1941, in Madrid, Spain, to Plácido Francisco Domingo Ferrer and Josefa “Pepita” Embil Echániz, both renowned Spanish zarzuela performers. He has a sister, Maria José “Mari Pepa” Domingo de Fernandez (1942–2015).

Domingo began his musical education at the National Conservatory of Music in Mexico City at fourteen, studying piano, conducting, and voice under Carlo Morelli. He has a mixed ethnic heritage, with his father of half-Aragonese and half-Catalan descent, and his mother of Basque origin from Gipuzkoa. Domingo practices Roman Catholicism.

Career

Plácido Domingo made his operatic debut in 1961 as Alfredo in La Traviata in Monterrey, Mexico, and soon after performed with the Dallas Civic Opera. In 1962, he joined the Israel National Opera in Tel Aviv, where he gained invaluable stage experience by performing 280 times in 12 different roles over two and a half years. This period laid the groundwork for his extraordinary career.

Following his return from Israel, Domingo made his New York debut in 1965 at the New York City Opera, stepping in for a last-minute performance of Madama Butterfly. He officially debuted at the Metropolitan Opera in 1968 and went on to perform at the world’s leading opera houses, including La Scala, Covent Garden, and the Vienna State Opera.

Known for his vocal power and dramatic depth, he became especially acclaimed for his portrayal of Verdi’s Otello, which he sang over 200 times. Alongside his singing, Domingo began conducting in 1973 and built a respected parallel career, performing at top venues and producing several recordings.

In addition to his stage work, Domingo played a key role in opera administration. He held leadership positions at the Washington National Opera and the Los Angeles Opera, where he championed new productions and supported emerging talent.

Transitioning to baritone roles in the 2010s, he continued to expand his repertoire, ultimately performing 151 different roles—a record for a leading tenor. Despite later controversies, Domingo’s contributions as a performer, conductor, and mentor have left an indelible mark on the opera world.

Social Media

• Instagram handle: @placido_domingo
• YouTube Channel: Placido Domingo

Personal Life

Plácido Domingo was first married to Ana María Guerra Cué in 1957. They had a son, José Plácido Domingo Guerra, a professional photographer. The marriage ended in 1958.

In 1962, he married Marta Ornelas, a Mexican opera soprano and stage director whom he met at the National Conservatory of Music in Mexico City.

They have two sons: Plácido Domingo Jr., a singer and songwriter born in 1965, and Alvaro Maurizio, born in 1968. Domingo and Marta have shared a lasting partnership and are celebrating over 60 years of marriage.

Discography

• Romance: Musik für große Gefühle (1977)
• Domingo! (1981)
• Con Amore (1982)
• Magic Is The Moonlight (1983)
• Greatest Love Songs (1985)
• Opera Arias (1989)
• Entre Dos Mundos (1989)
• The Essential Domingo: Popular Songs & Arias (1989)
• Plácido Domingo, Vol. 2 (1990)
• Arias Songs & Tangos (1992)
• Domingo (1992)
• Grananda: The Greatest Hits of Plácido Domingo (1992)
• Bravissimo, Domingo! Vol. 1: Arias & Duets (1993)
• A Night at the Opera: A Mozart Gala (1994)
• LPure Domingo (1996)
• Verdi Heroes (1996)
• Canciones de Amor: Songs of Love (2000)
• Great Italian Operas Arias (2001)
• Plácido Domingo Sings (2002)
• The Essential Plácido Domingo (2004)
• Introducing Plácido Domingo (2005)
• Moments of Passion (2006)
• Truly Domingo (2006)
• Domingo – The 50 Greatest Tracks (2015)
• The Best of Plácido Domingo (2016)

Net Worth

Plácido Domingo’s net Worth is estimated at around $300 million, amassed through his prolific career as an opera singer, conductor, and arts administrator.

His income stems from over 150 roles, numerous recordings, leadership positions at major opera houses, crossover albums, endorsements, and various business ventures, including restaurant ownership.