Organized by the Queen Sofía Spanish Institute, the Sophia Awards for Excellence (formerly the Gold Medal) is one of the most distinguished honors linking the Spanish-speaking world and the United States. As the highest distinction bestowed by the Queen Sofía Spanish Institute, it has recognized some of the most influential figures in global arts, culture, diplomacy, science, and public life, including President Bill Clinton, Henry Kissinger, Plácido Domingo, Penélope Cruz, Norman Foster, Alicia de Larrocha, Carolina Herrera, Mario Vargas Llosa, Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Carlos Slim, Chef José Andrés, and Gustavo Dudamel, underscoring the award’s exceptional prestige.
In 2026, the Sophia Awards for Excellence will be presented to two distinguished couples whose leadership and vision have shaped communities across the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean: Jorge M. & Darlene Pérez and Frank & Haydée Rainieri.
As the nation approaches its semiquincentennial (1776–2026), the 2026 Sophia Award for Excellence Gala marks the beginning of the 2026 commemorations honoring 250 years of shared history and friendship between Spain and the United States. As part of this milestone, for the first time the Queen Sofía Spanish Institute is bringing the America&Spain250 initiative to Florida. The initiative aims to highlight Spain’s and the Spanish speaking world’s crucial contributions to the American Revolution and to the development of the United States and to inform today’s Hispanics and Latinos about the foundational role their ancestors played in the establishment of the United States, a message that is particularly important today.
To host the Gala in Miami, a city that connects the United States with Spain, Latin America, and the Caribbean, underscores the region’s pivotal role in this shared history and its growing prominence as an international center of culture and history. The Gala offers guests the opportunity to join leaders from the cultural, philanthropic, civic, and business sectors for an evening of international significance. Table sponsorships and individual tickets are available at multiple levels, including premier seating and private greetings with distinguished guests. Proceeds support the Queen Sofía Spanish Institute and its educational and cultural initiatives, which promote the visibility of the contributions of Spanish-speaking communities to the history and development of the United States.
The Queen Sofía Spanish Institute (QSSI) is a New York-based nonprofit corporation founded in 1954 by a group of American Hispanophiles who sought to stimulate American interest in the art, culture, customs, language, literature and history of Spain and the Spanish-speaking world. The QSSI keeps this vision current by striving to share the contributions of the Spanish-speakers to the history and culture of the United States and by showcasing the excellence of the Spanish-speaking world in numerous fields so that lasting ties of friendship may be formed, mutual understanding promoted, and bonds of peace strengthened. The Sophia Award for Excellence, named after the Greek word for wisdom “Sophia,” is presented to a person or organization that has actively contributed to the international appreciation of Spain and the Americas through a donation of time, expertise, and an innate wisdom in the areas of sciences, arts, or humanities. RSVP to attend the Sophia Award for Excellence Gala HERE.
For further information visit: www.queensofiaspanishinstitute.org
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Her Majesty Queen Sofía