José Falcón

Who was José Falcón?

José Carlos Frita Falcão, known as José Falcón was a Portuguese matador whose bullfighting career spanned just over a decade. As of 2011, he was the last matador to be killed in the ring.

Born in Aldeia de Póvoas, Vila Franca de Xira, Falcão made his first public appearance at a bullfighting event in Montijo, Portugal, close to his hometown on May 20, 1962. He became a popular matador and on May 15, 1967 he appeared in a Spanish bullfight at Mérida with Juan Carlos Beca Belmonte and Gabriel de la Casa. During a professional 12 year bullfighting career he headlined many events including 30 in Spain between 1969 and 1970 alone and afterwards showcased his talents in México on December 13, 1970 in an event with Joaquín Bernadó and Antonio Lomelín.

Falcão's career came to an abrupt end in August 1974 in Barcelona, after being gored in the leg by the bull while working with the muleta. He might have survived the ordeal had he not insisted on killing the bull, Cucharero, before being treated for his wound, which worsened as the fight continued and the artery in his leg ruptured. He died a few hours after being gored.