
Ester Expósito
SpainAlso known as: Ester Expósito Gayoso
Birthday
January 26, 2000
Birth Sign
Aquarius
Birthplace
Madrid, Spain
Age
26 years old
Height
5 ft 6 in (167 cm)
About
Ester Expósito is a Spanish actor. She stars in Spanish and international productions as one of the most recognizable faces of her generation. Born on January 26 2000 in Madrid she first captured global attention with her performance as Carla Rosón Caleruega in the Netflix series Élite. The role turned her into an overnight sensation when she was just 18 and opened doors across film television and fashion.
After three seasons on Élite plus special episodes she moved into more varied work. She took leading parts in horror films like Venus and appeared in Mexican director Amat Escalante's Lost in the Night. By 2024 she starred in the Netflix heist series Bandidos showing her range beyond teen drama. In 2026 she received the Golden Nymph Award for Most Promising Talent at the Monte Carlo Television Festival. The honor recognized her quick rise and steady output since leaving the show that made her famous.
Expósito also built a strong modeling career. She walks runways for major brands appears in campaigns and maintains one of the largest Instagram audiences among Spanish actresses. She speaks openly about the isolation that sudden fame can bring and works to keep her personal circle protected from public scrutiny. Fans appreciate her grounded attitude and her continued focus on challenging roles in both Spain and Latin America.
Early Life & Background
Ester grew up in Madrid with deep family ties to Viveiro in Galicia. She visited the coastal town often and stayed close to childhood friends there. From a young age she appeared in a mineral water commercial alongside her mother. That early job sparked her interest in performing. She also tried modeling before focusing on acting full time.
She finished regular schooling then took acting classes and workshops around Madrid. In 2013 and 2015 she won Best Actress awards at local theater competitions. Her first credited screen work came in the 2015 short film La mediadora. Small television parts followed including guest spots on Centro médico and two episodes of the prison drama Vis a vis.
A bigger break arrived in 2017 when she landed the recurring role of Ruth in the fantasy series Estoy vivo. That part brought her to the attention of casting directors for Netflix's new Spanish original. At 18 she won the part of Carla in Élite. The audition and sudden global platform changed everything just as she turned 19.
Career Growth
Her breakthrough arrived in 2018 with Élite. Playing the wealthy and layered Carla Rosón she became one of the show's standout stars. The series exploded worldwide and gave her an instant international fan base. She stayed for the first three seasons and returned for 2021 special episodes.
After Élite she took on more demanding roles. In 2020 she appeared in the Netflix miniseries Someone Has to Die and the acclaimed drama Veneno. A dance clip she posted to Rauw Alejandro's song El Efecto went massively viral with more than 100 million shares. That moment cemented her status as both actress and digital influencer.
She moved into film with the lead in Jaume Balagueró's horror movie Venus in 2022. The next year she starred in Lost in the Night expanding her work into Mexican cinema. In 2024 she joined the adventure series Bandidos and appeared in the horror project The Wailing. By 2025 she had wrapped filming on The Talent. Her 2026 Golden Nymph Award marked official recognition of her growing body of work across platforms and countries.
Career Timeline
Public Image & Style
Ester Expósito is widely regarded as a grounded and versatile talent who successfully transitioned from teen stardom to more complex, mature roles. Her public persona blends high-fashion elegance with approachable authenticity, often seen in sleek, minimalist styles on red carpets and in magazine editorials. Media and fans praise her selective career choices and reluctance to overshare personal details, which has cultivated an air of mystery and professionalism. Her social media voice is relatively reserved compared to many peers, focusing on fashion, behind-the-scenes content, and occasional personal updates. While there is no widely recognized official fandom name, supporters often refer to themselves as part of the 'Élite' or 'Ester' community. Her aesthetic and demeanor have made her a fashion icon for a generation, balancing glamour with relatability.
Fame & Fandom
Ester Expósito commands a vast, organic following that operates primarily through social media engagement rather than structured campaigns or formalized groups. With over 27 million followers on Instagram, her audience is global yet lacks a specific collective moniker like 'Team Ester' or an organized army, distinguishing her from idol cultures with rigid fan rituals. Her influence is evident in the immediate reach of her professional updates and personal moments, though no documented initiatives such as birthday billboards or charity drives exist under her name. This digital footprint places her firmly within the current cultural conversation, a status quantified by recent authoritative metrics. According to the iFANN Global Fame Rankings, she holds the position of the 63rd most famous person in Spain, a placement holding steady from the previous cycle. Furthermore, she ranks as the 49th most famous person from Spain, also holding steady from the previous cycle. These figures reflect a career that has successfully transitioned from teen stardom to mature international work, solidifying her standing among her peers without reliance on manufactured hype.
Interesting Facts and Legends
Her first screen appearance occurred as a child in a mineral water commercial filmed alongside her mother. In 2020, a dance video she posted garnered over 100 million shares and 11 million likes, becoming a viral milestone for her digital presence. Born into a family from Viveiro in Galicia, she frequently returns there to recharge away from the spotlight. Before her global breakthrough, she won local Best Actress theater awards in Madrid in both 2013 and 2015. She currently boasts more than 27 million Instagram followers, ranking her among the most followed Spanish actresses. Recent years have added a layer of public lore surrounding her high-profile relationship with French footballer Kylian Mbappé. Rumors of their romance were reportedly revealed via a deleted Instagram post in July 2026, leading to widespread media speculation about their time together in Paris. By August 2026, the couple was photographed displaying affection during a yacht outing, sparking intense public interest. The narrative also includes a notable conflict where Expósito threatened legal action against press outlets for what she termed insults to her dignity regarding these rumors. While some sources debate the details of their interactions, the story of their brief, highly visible connection remains a prominent chapter in her public history.
Notable Quotes
“After Élite I realized I was alone… I had to learn to protect my personal circle.”
Family & Personal Life
Ester stays close to her parents who come from Viveiro in the Galicia region. She often travels there to see friends from childhood and enjoy time by the sea. She keeps her family life private and rarely shares names or details publicly. No siblings appear in most profiles and she has not spoken about having children of her own. She has said that after the instant fame from Élite she worked hard to protect her inner circle from outside pressure.
Notable Connections
She shares strong ties with the cast of Élite especially her onscreen and once offscreen partner Álvaro Rico. She also connects with the wider Netflix Spanish language talent pool through projects like Someone Has to Die and Bandidos. In the fashion world she appears alongside other young European models and influencers at major events.
Relationships & Dating History
Ester Expósito dated her Élite co star Álvaro Rico starting around 2018. They met on set and their relationship played out in public for about a year before they split in October 2019. The breakup seemed amicable and both moved on with their careers.
In 2020 she began seeing Mexican actor Alejandro Speitzer. The pair connected through the Netflix world and appeared together often. They shared posts that confirmed the romance. The relationship lasted until mid 2021 when they quietly parted ways. No children came from either partnership.
Since the split with Speitzer she has kept her romantic life out of the spotlight. Tabloids have floated occasional rumors but none have been confirmed by her or reliable outlets. As of 2026 Ester Expósito appears to be single and focused on her work and private circle.
- DatedÁlvaro Rico2018 - 2019Met on the set of Élite; broke up amicably in October 2019.
- DatedAlejandro Speitzer2020 - 2021Netflix connected couple; separated mid 2021 with no public explanation.
Salary, Net Worth In 2026
$3 Million
iFANN Editorial Team estimate
iFANN currently estimates Ester Expósito's net worth at $3 Million as of 2026. This financial standing is built upon a foundation of acting roles in major Netflix series and independent films, with salaries from Élite, Bandidos, Venus, and Lost in the Night forming the core of her earnings. Modeling contracts and brand campaigns provide a consistent secondary income stream. Leveraging her substantial social media presence, which exceeds 27 million followers, she commands significant fees for sponsored posts and fashion event appearances. Her wealth has shown steady growth since 2018 when Élite first aired, transforming modest early television earnings into a robust portfolio driven by global exposure. While she has not publicly disclosed major real estate acquisitions or business ventures, her financial security appears robust for her age. The 2026 Golden Nymph Award may open further high-profile opportunities that could elevate her earnings in the coming years. She maintains a balanced approach by continuing to select brand partnerships that align closely with her personal image and professional trajectory.
Awards Won (1)
In 2026 she won the Golden Nymph Award for Most Promising Talent at the Monte Carlo Television Festival. The honor recognized her body of television work from Élite through recent series. She also earned local Best Actress awards for theater performances in Madrid in 2013 and 2015.
2026 · Most Promising Talent
Body of work in television
Known For
Élite
2018 · Carla Rosón Caleruega
Venus
2022 · Lead
Lost in the Night
2023 · Principal role
Bandidos
2024 · Lead
Keywords
Sources
Quick Facts
- Profession
- Actor
- Born
- January 26, 2000
- Birthplace
- Madrid, Spain
- Height
- 5 ft 6 in
- Net Worth
- $3 Million
Personal Details
- Full Name
- Ester Expósito Gayoso
- Height
- 5 ft 6 in (167 cm)
- Education
- Acting workshops in Madrid
Filmography
18
Total
9
Film
9
TV
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