• TV Ana Rosa Quintana reappears with new image in a meeting with her colleagues
  • Television Ana Rosa Quintana endures the war between producers for the 'Rociíto case' and its politicization

María Rey (56) speaks as she does on television, as she has always done: in a natural, slow, direct way... He started a program that almost nobody bet on and has become a reference of the mornings. This is 120 minutes, a television space that is broadcast at noon on Telemadrid and that, at the regional level, stands as a competition of generalist channels. On March 7, it achieved its maximum historical audience with a 22.4% share of the screen. The numbers back up Maria. "It's a program that we started doing in June and you know that on that date the network is testing you. We entered with very few pretensions and we have settled it and in four months we will celebrate five years of broadcasting. I did not expect it and the truth is that it is the result of teamwork. We coincide with Ana Rosa, Ferreras, Lourdes Maldonado, Diego Losada, Susanna Griso... The first swords of journalism at the national level."

Ana Rosa is, in addition to her "competitor", her boss. 120 minutos is one of the programs of Unicorn Content, the production company directed by Ana Rosa Quintana. Maria reveals that the relationship with her is unbeatable. "It has a lot of merit to have set up a production company like this and recently the management team changed because we are already 400 people. We feel valued and appreciated. They know that we have very few resources because Telemadrid has proposed to be a cheap TV for the taxpayer. The relationship with Ana Rosa is great, I would say extraordinary."

Maria is passionate about current politics. This fact is almost inevitable after having spent more than 20 years in the Congress of Deputies. "I will always miss information from Congress. Although it was exhausting and the days were eternal, it is the part of my professional life in which I have learned the most. It requires a constant effort because today you learn about pensions, tomorrow it is a housing law, a motion of censure... I also study the press before this program, you have to go to the set very prepared because you have to improvise, you do not have a team that writes you what you have to say. When I leave the set, the feeling is that a truck has passed over me."

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FRIENDSHIP AT THE CONGRESS

The communicator also misses the atmosphere of cordiality that prevailed before she left the Lower House. "Within the discrepancy there was camaraderie and personal respect, more than now. There was a time that I lived that was a good part of the bipartisanship and also the arrival of the new parties that despite everything there were some red lines that nobody jumped. Eduardo Zaplana and Rubalcaba could have a coffee and ask about their families and Soraya Sáenz de Santamaría and Soraya Rodríguez respected each other personally. Now the climate has changed and the part that is not seen has also become tense. That anything goes, the language of disqualification does not seem to me to enrich anything. Anything to get a headline and that's not the case."

Maria is the daughter of a veterinarian who was mayor of her town all her life. From him comes to her his love for public service, so he does not buy the discourse that "politics is useless", on the contrary. Even in these times, it saves some politicians from burning. "I've seen people work hard and I think politics is absolutely necessary. You can't despise everything for the noise. Except people from all parties. I can tell you that I do not dispute the value of Cuca Gamarra but neither that of Nadia Calviño. With everything that has happened to her Inés Arrimadas still deserves my respect and in Podemos when they arrived I discovered very brilliant people, for example I was listening to Errejón many times. Before, the people of CiU made interventions of a very high level".

In addition to professional baggage and memories, the 120-minute presenter retains the group of friends she made in Congress. "Sonsoles Ónega and I left but María Llapart continues in LaSexta, Macarena Bartolomé in TVE ... It is our hard core of friends that we see each other regularly. We discuss current events, our personal lives... We were a network, we have covered ourselves a lot. Before it was 'hold me the microphone that my son is calling me or I can't stay at the canutazo, then you tell me'".

The communicator, in the center of the image, with her "network" of friends of the CongressCedida

Although the majority of journalists are women, she acknowledges that it is still difficult for them to reach management positions. "If you put the screen now we are more visible but there is still a long way to go before we reach the offices. If you look at it is a desert, the reality is that we are mostly women and we would have to be at least 51% because we are 70% in the newsrooms. El País or 20 minutos is directed by women but there are still few examples." Maria also recalls some practices that were frequent when she began her journalistic career. "My appearance for some was an invitation: young, blonde, etc. It was relatively common for someone to reach under the table and touch your leg while we were in a meeting. It was like the revolutionary tax of being a young woman trying to find her professional place. We have made great progress but for me, for example, when I was 14 years old, my mother bought me a knife because I had two scares. Now I continue to suffer with my daughter who lives outside of Spain."

His departure from Antena 3 is also one of the topics about which he is most asked. "I didn't leave Antena 3 because they kicked me out. I did a lot of things for 25 years but I had to take a step elsewhere. I passed the 50 line and felt very strong professionally. When I was about to start a different project, I was called to work at Telemadrid. I got on the train and it started picking up speed. I do not have the feeling that by working in a regional my work is something 'minor'. I was also shocked by the phrase of the Oscar winner for best actress. That your professional worth expires with your physique or with your age. Look at Matías Prats. Does it do worse now? Well, neither do I."

SILVER JUBILEE

The journalist is married to Manuel Campo Vidal, another institution in this profession. Together they form a perfect tandem. Manuel married María for the second time, after his marriage to Francesca Canellas, with whom he had two children. This year Campo Vidal celebrates 25 years of marriage with Maria. "It is easier for a journalist to marry someone in the trade. At what point has 25 years passed? We have been planning the honeymoon for 25 years. When I played I was presenting the news and I could not leave so maybe the key to staying together is to have the honeymoon pending for 25 years. " For Manuel he has words of affection and admiration: "When they come badly given you know that you are not alone. We are very good friends, you have your moments of euphoria and others calmer but life is not all the spark. He is a multitasker, he does not know how to be still nor is he interested in doing so. He works a lot, teaches future journalists and then has focused a lot on the issue of emptied Spain."

María Rey and Manuel Campo Vidal with their three children, Iria, Iago and NachoCedida

Their children are Iria, Iago and Nacho and although they live glued to current affairs and politics, none has been interested in the world of journalism. "They are my best work, which makes me happier. I'm not saying anything different than any mother can do." Iria studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics and her brothers ADE with computer science and data. In addition, Nacho has started a career as a DJ. They are all very handsome. "I always say that there is no ugly puppy, they are old enough to show off."

Finally, a topic that Maria addressed in her program a few days ago: Leonor's entry into the military career and the role of the Monarchy. "I am not a monarchist by conviction because a position like the Head of State should not be inherited. But as designed, this King is unbeatable. We have chosen to take the one that touched us and train it in the best possible conditions. The result is extraordinary. They are very solvent, so is the Queen. She has a very powerful profile even if she is only observed from the outside. Representation can't be done better. It gives us serenity. The debate on the republic has to come at a time of calm, not now."

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