TLLK said:
Could someone please summarize this article for me? My Spanish is not up to par. Thank you
http://www.elmundo.es/suplementos/cronica/2006/581/1166310013.html
This Friday, five years have passed since Jaime de Marichalar suffered a stroke. A dramatic day, which is still surrounded of incognitas.
While exercising at the gym, the Duke of Lugo felt bad and was transported to the hospital. "Jaime was in a much more delicate condition than what was said at the time. His stroke was very extensive, with a risk of death around 90%. That night, he got worse and both his wife, Infanta Elena, and his mother, the Countess of Ripalda, were told that he could pass away in a few hours", reveals a member of the staff that took care of him.
If miracles do happen, this one was the case of Marichalar. After leaving the hospital, he was never the same again. The previous Jaime, always discreet and a rigorous follower of protocol (even more than the monarchs themselves), turned into a disinhibited character, who couldn’t care less of everything. Unusual clothes and accesories (like bracelets, purses and fans), as well as weird companies were recognized as a sign of eccentricity. All this made him an aim for paparazzi and soon savage rumours started circulating, as that the stroke was due to the consumption of drugs and steroids. Those however were never confirmed.
But the gossip wasn’t even the worst part of the drama. At the age of 38, his left part of the body was paralyzed. He was no longer an independent person and rehabilitation was necessary. In fact, a special bathroom and a gymnasium for his exercises were added to the appartment that the Dukes of Lugo had at the street Ortega y Gasset.
But Jaime, instead of working in his rehabilitation, wanted to prove he was the same man and started yielding to a state of hyperactivity (an usual reaction in this kind of patients), calling friends to go out, never ending lunchs and dinners, etc). He didn't want to think. He lived in state of permanent anxiety.
This situation was especially hard for his wife, Infanta Elena. Rumours of split began. Sometimes Jaime took his son Froilán to a stroll and came back home at 10 PM. The poor woman was desperate, because those were not hours for a boy to stay out and because Jaime was not working in his rehabilitation. Even the King was alarmed and got to comment, during a reception: "I am very concerned about Jaime. I understand that he wants to amuse himself, but he must take a calmer life, to recover and not to neglect his rehabilitation. Elena reprimands him, but there is no way. And I cannot scold him, because he is a 39 year old man".
In November 2002, when travelling to Roland Garros final match, he suffered an epilepsis attack (an usual sequel after a stroke). His anxious life was not favoring his recovery and the medical staff advised him to go away from Spain, in order to focous in the 7 hour a day rehabilitation, at the Mount Sinaí hospital of New York.
The anonimity in NY had a balsamic effect both physically and familiarly. Besides, another key element for his future happened. His friend Bernard Arnaud, owner of the multinational Luois Vuitton, trusted him an office in New York and there Marichalar learned the mysteries of a world he is fond of. On his return to Spain, he continued working as an advisor of the MLVH counsel. Jaime has found his way. In addition, he holds his position in the Credit Suisse bank, where usually he works in the morning, and presides over the Winthertur (the cultural foundation of this organization). More relaxed now, he recognizes: "I know that people criticize me for some details of my clothing, but I am a fashion lover [...] It is part of my job".
Either way, it seems that the Dukes of Lugo lead opposite lives. He attends parties, while she is already sleeping, since she wakes up very early, to ride and teach English at the Kindergarten she owns. Nevertheless, they have met an entente, between their jobs and interests, where mutual respect prevails. Their lives have changed, but they are happy.
and yet at another picture it seemed she was hiding from the photographers. She's so cute. 
