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ElCordobs Biography

Spanish toreador, known in 1964 as an international hero to rival Pele or Cassius Clay. Handsome and agile, the son of a peasant, he was one of the highest paid entertainers in the world, bringing in $50,000 per bullfight. He was scarred in a dozen places by being gored in the ring. One day in 1972, suddenly he retired, reportedly battered by liquor and pills, women and glory, unable to keep up his 100-fight seasons. The matador from Cordoba gave up his title, married the French girlfriend who had given him two of his kids, and invested his fortune in livestock and real estate. As abruptly as he left, Benitez made a come-back in 1979, booking 65 fights. "I got tired of raising pigs," he said. He made a glorious debut, but his following fights were in second-class rings and he did not regain his former acclaim. Link to Wikipedia biography Read less