Her Majesty Queen Sofía to Travel to Miamito Present PrestigiousSophia Awards for Excellence in Gala at PAMM
Honoring Jorge M. & Darlene Pérez and Frank & Haydée Rainieri
Miami, FL —December 11th. Her Majesty Queen Sofía will be travelling from Spain to Miami to present the Sophia Awards for Excellence during a major international gala on Saturday March 21st, 2026, at the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM).
Organized by the Queen Sofía Spanish Institute, the Sophia Awards for Excellence (formerly the Gold Medal) is one of the most distinguished honors linking the Spanish-speaking world and the United States. As the highest distinction bestowed by the Queen Sofía Spanish Institute, it has recognized some of the most influential figures in global arts, culture, diplomacy, science, and public life, including President Bill Clinton, Henry Kissinger, Plácido Domingo, Penélope Cruz, Norman Foster, Alicia de Larrocha, Carolina Herrera, Mario Vargas Llosa, Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Carlos Slim, Chef José Andrés, and Gustavo Dudamel, underscoring the award’s exceptional prestige.
In 2026, the Sophia Awards for Excellence will be presented to two distinguished couples whose leadership and vision have shaped communities across the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean: Jorge M. & Darlene Pérez and Frank & Haydée Rainieri.
2026 Honorees
Jorge M. & Darlene Pérez
Jorge M. Pérez is widely recognized as one of the most influential real estate developers, contemporary art collectors, and cultural philanthropists in the United States. As Founding Executive Chairman of Related Group, he has transformed South Florida’s skyline for over 45 years, leading a development portfolio exceeding $50 billion. His commitment to the arts includes building one of the country’s most significant contemporary art collections, establishing El Espacio 23, and contributing more than $300 million to cultural and community initiatives, including major gifts to the Pérez Art Museum Miami, Tate Modern, and Museo Reina Sofía. In 2025, he was named “Friend of Spain” by the Spain– United States Chamber of Commerce.
Darlene Pérez, a Miami native and advanced registered nurse practitioner, has spent more than 30 years advocating for healthcare, education, and the arts. She founded the Pérez Art Museum’s International Women’s Committee, serves on several medical and academic boards, and through the Jorge M. Pérez Family Foundation has overseen grants to more than 160 nonprofit organizations, totaling over $100 million in support of arts, education, and health initiatives. Together, the Pérez family has significantly shaped South Florida’s civic and cultural landscape while strengthening artistic connections between Spain and the United States.
“Darlene and I are honored to receive this distinguished recognition from Her Majesty Queen Sofía. Miami is a city shaped by the Spanish-speaking world, and we have dedicated our lives to ensuring that its cultural institutions reflect that history and vibrancy,” said Mr. Pérez. “We remain committed to building a community where art, philanthropy, and shared heritage open doors for future generations.”
Frank & Haydée Rainieri
Frank and Haydée Rainieri, founders and leaders of Grupo Puntacana, are renowned Dominican entrepreneurs and humanitarians whose shared vision transformed Punta Cana into a world-class tourism destination and a model for sustainable development.
Additionally, scheduled to open in 2026, the Rainieri Cultural Center is taking shape in the heart of Punta Cana as a dynamic space dedicated to celebrating the cultural richness of the Dominican Republic. This new non-profit institution aims to highlight the many expressions of Dominican identity and foster artistic creation, offering both the local community and visitors an experience that interweaves history, identity, and creativity.
Through exhibitions, workshops, and educational programs, the center aspires to become a catalyst for sustainable cultural development, providing a profound and multifaceted perspective on the Dominican spirit—the only one of its kind in the entire region.
Frank Rainieri has received some of the highest international recognitions, including the Presidential Citation Award from President Ronald Reagan and the Order of Merit of Duarte, Sánchez and Mella in the Grade of Grand Cross Silver Plaque—the highest honor bestowed by the Dominican Republic. He has also received the Hotelier of the Year award, been appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Sovereign Order of Malta, and named Ambassador for Sustainable Tourism by the UNWTO, as well as receiving the honorary title of Director Emeritus from CAST and CHTA.
Haydée Rainieri has been honored for her leadership in the tourism sector, including the Grand Prize of the Dominican Hotel and Tourism Association (ASONAHORES), where she later served as President. In 2016, she received the Women Together Award from the United Nations for the Grupo Puntacana Foundation’s contributions to 10 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Together, the Rainieris have advanced sustainability, education, and community development in the Dominican Republic, elevating the region’s international recognition.
A Special Event Celebrating 250 Years of Shared History: U.S. and Spain
As the nation approaches its semiquincentennial (1776–2026), the 2026 Sophia Award for Excellence Gala marks the beginning of the commemorations honoring 250 years of shared history and friendship between Spain and the United States.
As part of this milestone, for the first time the Queen Sofía Spanish Institute is bringing the America & Spain 250 initiative to Florida. The initiative aims to highlight Spain’s and the Spanish-speaking world’s crucial contributions to the American Revolution and to the development of the United States. It also seeks to inform today’s Hispanic and Latino communities about the foundational role their ancestors played in the establishment of the nation—a message that is particularly meaningful today.
To host the Gala in Miami—a city that connects the United States with Spain, Latin America, and the Caribbean—underscores the region’s pivotal role in this shared history and its growing prominence as an international center of culture and heritage.
The Gala offers guests the opportunity to join leaders from the cultural, philanthropic, civic, and business sectors for an evening of international significance. Table sponsorships and individual tickets are available at multiple levels, including premier seating and private greetings with distinguished guests.
Proceeds support the Queen Sofía Spanish Institute and its educational and cultural initiatives, which promote the visibility of the contributions of Spanish-speaking communities to the history and development of the United States.
RSVP to attend the Sophia Award for Excellence Gala here.
About the Queen Sofía Spanish Institute
The Queen Sofía Spanish Institute (QSSI) is a New York-based nonprofit organization founded in 1954 by a group of American Hispanophiles who sought to stimulate interest in the art, culture, customs, language, literature, and history of Spain and the Spanish-speaking world.
Today, QSSI continues this vision by highlighting the contributions of Spanish-speaking communities to the history and culture of the United States, while showcasing excellence across diverse fields. Its mission is to foster lasting ties of friendship, promote mutual understanding, and strengthen bonds of peace.
The Sophia Award for Excellence—named after the Greek word for wisdom, “Sophia”—is presented to individuals or organizations that have significantly contributed to the international appreciation of Spain and the Americas through their time, expertise, and distinguished achievements in the sciences, arts, or humanities.
2024 Annual Report
– Photos to share with press release
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Queen Sofía Spanish Institute
