Jose Carreras Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday

A Voice From Barcelona to the World Stage

José Carreras was born on December 5, 1946 in Barcelona, Spain — a birthdate that marked the beginning of one of classical music’s most enduring and beloved careers. 

From a young age, Carreras displayed a fascination with music. As a child, he was deeply inspired by the film performance of Mario Lanza in The Great Caruso, which ignited his ambition to sing.  By age eight, he was already performing on Spanish national radio — a sign of his precocious talent.

At just 11 years old, Carreras made his operatic debut at the famed Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona as Trujamán in Manuel de Falla’s El retablo de Maese Pedro. From that moment, his trajectory was clear — he was destined for the world’s greatest opera stages.

Rising Through the Ranks to Global Acclaim

Carreras studied at the Conservatory associated with the Liceu before transitioning from chemistry (as per his father’s wishes) to fully commit to his musical calling. 

By 1970, he had secured his first major professional roles at the Liceu: he sang Norma as Flavio and, later that year, shared the stage with the soprano Montserrat Caballé in Lucrezia Borgia. 

This period marked the beginning of a meteoric rise. Carreras quickly established himself across Europe’s leading opera houses, eventually expanding his reach globally. His repertoire — rich with the works of Verdi, Puccini, Donizetti and others — spanned more than 60 roles over a career lasting decades.

A Second Act — From Near-Death to Global Humanitarian

The late 1980s brought one of the most dramatic turns in Carreras’s life. In 1987, he was diagnosed with acute leukemia — a battle that threatened to end both his life and career.

Defying the odds, Carreras underwent intensive treatment and made a triumphant return to the stage. His comeback story resonated broadly, not only among classical music devotees but with the public at large, thanks to his raw resilience and enduring passion for singing.

Out of that struggle, he founded the José Carreras International Leukaemia Foundation — committing his fame and fortune to help others afflicted by the disease.  His philanthropic efforts have become integral to his legacy, often receiving as much admiration as his musical achievements.

Operatic Legend — And Member of “The Three Tenors”

While Carreras had already achieved operatic fame, his global celebrity exploded in 1990 when he joined Luciano Pavarotti and Plácido Domingo to form The Three Tenors. Their concerts — starting with the 1990 FIFA World Cup opening — introduced opera to millions worldwide.

Their recordings became some of the best-selling classical albums ever. Through these performances, Carreras helped democratize opera, blending classical splendor with mainstream popularity. 

Personal Life, Relationships & Private Chapters

Carreras’s personal life has seen both stability and change. In 1971, he married Mercedes Pérez; the couple had two children, a son and a daughter.  Their marriage eventually ended in divorce in 1992. 

Later, in 2006, he married Jutta Jäger. Their union lasted until about 2011.

He also comes from a musical family: his nephew, David Giménez Carreras, is a conductor and has collaborated with José on several performances — a testament to how deeply rooted music is in the Carreras lineage. 

A Legacy Measured in Talent — and Worth

Over the decades, Carreras has not only earned acclaim but also amassed considerable wealth through performances, recordings, tours, and his enduring popularity. Estimates place his net worth at around US $250 million. 

That fortune — however — only tells part of the story. Much of his legacy is intangible: the lives saved and improved through his foundation, the opera lovers introduced by his voice, and the doors he opened for classical music globally.

Why José Carreras’s Story Still Resonates

Carreras’s journey from an eager boy in Barcelona to one of the world’s most celebrated tenors — and a survivor who chose to help others — reads like a powerful novel. His passion, artistry, humility and generosity combine to make him not just a musical legend, but a human storyteller whose songs and life lessons continue to inspire.

Mentioning his birthdate (December 5, 1946) and celebrating his birthday as more than a commemoration — as the starting point of a remarkable life — helps remind us why his name remains etched among the greatest.