Beatriz de Lenclós

Beatriz Ledesma Gorostiza (4 August 1923 – 5 January 2026), known professionally as Beatriz de Lenclós, was a Spanish stage actress, dancer and singer from Vitoria-Gasteiz. She rose to prominence in magazine theatre and revue during the 1940s and 1950s. She later became associated with the normalization of the two-piece swimsuit in Spain after being photographed in a bikini on the beaches of Benidorm in 1955. In later life, she was locally regarded as the first Spanish actress to pose in the garment.

Early life and education Ledesma was born on 4 August 1923 in Vitoria-Gasteiz, in Spain's Basque Country.

During the 1950s, Ledesma became part of Benidorm's beach and stage milieu and eventually settled in the city. Later historical analysis has cited Benidorm's 1950s experience, under mayor Pedro Zaragoza, as a key context for the bikini's introduction to Spain.

Later life and death In later life, she returned to Vitoria Gasteiz as guest of honor at the Teatro Principal centenary gala in December 2018. She died in Altea on 5 January 2026, at the age of 102.