Jesus Calleja Biography: Height, Age, Net Worth, Siblings, Children, Wife, TV Show, Awards

Jesús Calleja, whose full name is Jesús González Calleja, is a proud Spanish adventurer, mountaineer, and TV host from Fresno de la Vega, León.

Known for his daring expeditions and lively shows, such as Planeta Calleja and Volando voy, he has climbed Mount Everest, visited both Poles, and even traveled to space in 2025 with Blue Origin, becoming Spain’s first non-professional astronaut.

Profile

• Full Name: Jesús González Calleja
• Stage Name: Jesús Calleja
• Born: April 11, 1965
• Age: 60 years old
• Birthplace: Fresno de la Vega, León, Spain
• Nationality: Spanish
• Occupation: Mountaineer, Adventurer, Television Host, Producer, Pilot
• Height: 175 cm
• Religion: Christianity
• Parents: Julián Calleja ,María Jesús
• Siblings: Kike Calleja
• Spouse: None
• Children: three
• Relationship: Single
• Net Worth: $5,000,000 to $10,000,000

Early Life & Education

Jesús Calleja was born on April 11, 1965, in Fresno de la Vega, a small village in the province of León, Spain.

His ethnicity is Spanish, deeply rooted in the rugged, proud culture of Castile and León. Raised by his parents, Julián Calleja and María Jesús, he grew up in a tight-knit family alongside his younger brother, Kike.

As a Christian, his faith has shaped his optimistic outlook, which is often reflected in his TV shows. As a child, Jesús loved the outdoors, climbing local hills instead of fishing with his family, which sparked his lifelong passion for adventure.

He spent part of his childhood in Villanueva del Condado, exploring the mountains of León. By his teens, he was scaling peaks and dreaming of far-off places, such as the Himalayas, carrying Spain’s love for exploration in his heart.

Little is known about Jesús Calleja’s formal education. Growing up in a small village, he likely attended local schools in Fresno de la Vega or nearby.

Instead of pursuing higher education, he focused on real-world skills, training as a hairdresser, and winning a national men’s hairstyling championship in Burgos.

Career

Jesús Calleja’s career blends adventure and media, making him a Spanish icon. He started as a hairdresser in his family’s salon, Hermanos Calleja, and co-owned a car shop with his brother Kike.

His love for mountaineering led him to work as a guide in the Himalayas and Alps for 16 years, climbing peaks like Stok Kangri (6,150 m) and a 6,300 m mountain he named Pico León.

In 2003, he attempted his first 8,000-meter peak, Cho Oyu, and summited it in 2004 without the use of oxygen. In 2005, he conquered Mount Everest, a proud moment for Spain, calling his father from the summit.

In 2007, Cuatro gave him his first TV show, Desafío Extremo, where he tackled extreme challenges alongside his friend and cameraman, Emilio Valdés. Despite a 2007 motorcycle accident in Morocco, he climbed Kilimanjaro and raced in the Rally of the Pharaohs.

In 2014, he launched Planeta Calleja, traveling with celebrities such as Pedro Sánchez and Elsa Pataky, and Volando voy in 2015, which highlighted Spain’s rural villages.

His production company, Zanskar Producciones, co-founded with María Ruiz Calzado, produces these shows and others, such as Scott y Mila.

In 2025, Jesús made history as Spain’s first space tourist on Blue Origin’s NS-30 mission, set to air as a Mediaset and Prime Video documentary.

His adventures, from the Krúbera-Voronya cave to both Poles, show Spain’s fearless spirit.

Awards & Nominations

• 2017: Leonese Entrepreneur of the Year, Federación Leonesa de Empresarios (Fele)
• 2018: Ondas Award, Best National Television Host (Planeta Calleja)
• 2019: Gold Medal of Merit in Fine Arts, Spanish Government
• 2023: Antena de Oro, Federation of Radio and Television Associations (Volando voy)
• 2025: Journalism Award, Association of Foreign Press Correspondents

Social Media

• Instagram handle: @jesuscallejatv
• TikTok handle: Not publicly active
• Facebook: Jesús Calleja
• YouTube channel: Jesús Calleja

Personal Life

Jesús Calleja, 60, stands at about 175 cm, with a rugged look that matches his adventurous life.

He’s single, with no public spouse or biological children, but he’s a proud “father” to three adopted children from Nepal, whose names he keeps private. His love for Nepal runs deep, having visited over 60 times and speaking the language fluently.

He lives in León, staying close to his roots, and often visits his parents, who inspired his optimism. Jesús is also a licensed pilot, flying planes and Robinson R44 helicopters, and enjoys activities such as rafting the Zambezi River and living with New Guinea tribes.

His 2023 hospital stay for a minor issue didn’t slow him down, and his space trip in 2025 cemented his status as a Spanish trailblazer.

Jesús’s passion for adventure and his love for Spain’s people and culture shine in his work, making him a national treasure.

Net Worth

Jesús Calleja’s estimated net worth is $5,000,000 to $10,000,000.

His wealth stems from his TV shows, Zanskar Producciones, and other ventures, including Himalaya Sol S.L. and Cuota Solar S.L.

In 2018, Zanskar earned 5.3 million euros, with his businesses totaling over 6.7 million euros in revenue.

His YouTube channel, with 48,700 subscribers and 2.3 million views, generates approximately $100,600 to $137,600 per year.

His success as a Spanish adventurer and producer reflects his hard work and León’s entrepreneurial spirit.

Filmography

• Desafío extremo (2007–2013, TV Show) – Host/Producer
• Desafío en Himalaya (2009–2010, TV Show) – Host/Producer
• Desafío Vertical (2011, TV Show) – Host/Producer
• Desafío Everest (2012, TV Show) – Host/Producer
• Desafío en el abismo (2013, TV Show) – Host/Producer
• Planeta Calleja (2014–present, TV Show) – Host/Producer
• Volando voy (2015–present, TV Show) – Host/Producer
• Volando Voy, Volando Vengo (2025, TV Show) – Host/Producer
• Calleja en el espacio (2025, Documentary Series) – Host/Producer