Manuel Navarrete During Ideas del Sur’s golden age, he became one of the most popular figures behind and in front of the camera. Although his main task was production, the funny comings and goings with Marcelo Tinelli Show match They turned him into a character who soon came across the screen. This surge in popularity even led to his debut as a participant in the Dancing for a dream in 2011. Although he had a promising future in Argentina, a conversation with friends over a barbecue encouraged him to pack his bags and settle with his family in Valencia, Spain, where he has lived for five years.
His decision was not a coincidence and there was an event that shaped him. While his media presence was increasing, in 2012 he suffered a violent robbery in the Caballito neighborhood of Buenos Aires while sitting in a car with his son. Although this fact was not the trigger for his decision to emigrate, it was one of the many reasons that led him to strive for a better quality of life.
“We chose Valencia at the time because it was a much more relaxed city than Madrid and Barcelona and had a larger projection, and above all because it was (and still is) the third most important city in Spain,” he said in an interview with THE NATION.
Although the decision was not complicated, it was very thoughtful. “Maria, my wife, was a shoe entrepreneur and had six stores of her own. And I found myself in a privileged place that I had earned with effort and dedication,” he explained. Although Manuel is a public auctioneer, he always wanted to belong to the medium and did everything to fulfill his wish. “Through a friend I sold Campi his first apartment, I did that too, I had my office around the corner from Telefe.”revealed.
In this sense, he highlighted the help given to him by the renowned comedian, who introduced him to several people who served as a link for his landing on television. “He helped me a lot and introduced me to the boys Nico’s standalso opened the doors of VideoMatch And By chance I met the station’s art director at the time, Miguel Ángel Pérez Alfaro.one of my best friends today,” he added.
You could say it was certainly the first to give it a chance Pablo Codevilla, who brought him in for the second season of Tell me what your name isthe series that entertained audiences with interactive games in 1996 and Sketches.
“One day during a live show I gave him an exact answer and Codevilla He asked who I was and what I was doing in the studio.“, he revealed about this procedure, for which he was offered a producer position some time later Have a beautiful Sunday (Channel 9).
After the prestigious format that entertained viewers with “El Cofre de la Felicidad”, the “Ping Pong of Questions and Answers” and the prize of the trip to Bariloche for high school students, he continued with the production of Crazy thing (Channel 26) to Finally the call came that led him to Ideas del Sur. Then he did it Complete -led by Miguel del Sel- and The Revenge of José María. Without knowing it, this media production company would become his home for 27 years.
The decision had been made: Manuel and his family left the familiar corridors to embark on a new adventure with no less firm steps.
So it happened that as soon as he settled with his family on the Old Continent, They opened two stores that sold pizza and empanadas. “Gastronomic entrepreneurship was a first reason not to allow oneself to be decapitalized and to inform oneself about Spain’s tax, trade and economic system. But.” My basic idea was to invest in real estate once we settled down. “I knew it was a very good business option,” he said.
In this sense, he noted that they took the opportunity to sell the franchise since the investment tripled. “I am convinced that companies are sold when they work,” he emphasized and gave details of his current job: “Today my job is to look for investments that will allow me to generate a secure income. What I do in Spain is called Flipping houseIn other words, that’s it Buy a run-down property at a price below market value, renovate it to increase its value, and then sell it for a profit or rent it out quickly to generate income.”
Regarding the advantages he saw for investing in Spain, he highlighted the property values and the credit opportunities that stability offers. “Today Argentina is on the road to recovery and I believe that it will be able to restore many of the things that have been lost due to very poor management over many years,” he added.
However, he is not the only businessman in the family. María, his wife, had six shoe stores in Argentina and continues her business today across the pond. “She is very entrepreneurial and knows the shoe business perfectly. He rebuilt his path based on his professionalism and the study of European trendswhich are very different from those of Argentina,” he emphasized.
Manuel and María are not alone. Her son Lorenzo, who is now 19 years old, accompanies her. “He is very established, he came when he was 14 years old, he was a child… Today, at 19 years old, he is focused on his studies, he has formed bonds and made friends, and “My wife and I are firmly convinced that this is the right path.”said.
To fans of Tinelli’s classic program, Navarrete’s face is familiar, even in Spain, where there are many Argentines. “People who emigrated not so long ago greet me, they know who I am. The credit goes more to Marcelo, who was responsible for my popularity… I say I was popular, not famous, famous are Guillermo Francella, Marcelo (Tinelli), Ricardo Darín… I was in the media more than anything else,” he admitted.
The friends with his parents, his mother’s rice pudding, the barbecues with friends and visiting San Lorenzo in the field are the little big things that he misses. But every time he can, he sets foot on Argentine soil. “It is very calming to recharge your batteries with your roots”At the same time, he was honest about a possible return: “I think it’s very far away… it would be very difficult. But.” “You never know what fate will bring.”.
Although he is completely immersed in the world of investments, he does not exclude the possibility of delving into the corridors of one or another production company and, why not, the Old Continent. “I wouldn’t hesitate for a second to feel that adrenaline again that only those of us who enjoy making television and love live productions know.”he emphasized.
“What projects are in the pipeline?” was the last question of the interview. So, almost like a mantra that he repeats every day first thing in the morning, and when he puts his head on the pillow, he replied: “Enjoy that life is only two seconds. Whoever said that wasn’t wrong, I’ve always taken it very seriously and I don’t plan on stopping.”
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