RUBIROSA

Imagine instead of James Bond it was … Jaime Bond, Javi Bond, Bondissimo.

Well, guess what, y’all? The white, British character at the center of Ian Fleming’s super-successful franchise was actually based on a Dominican man.

This podcast is the true story of Rubirosa’s life, told by me, Christopher Rivas.

Porfirio Rubirosa was a diplomat, playboy who spoke five languages, an international polo champion, a race-car driver, a pilot, and he became the richest man in the world—twice. I’m a lifelong fan of James Bond. Ever since I learned about Rubirosa and the heritage we share, I’ve wondered: how different might my life have been if my hero growing up looked like me? And what does Rubi’s incredible and complicated life have to teach me about love, success, family, Hollywood, code-switching, white-washing, and the roller coaster of finding my true self in a world not made for Brown folks like me?