The top echelon of the Catalan economic and business world made an appearance this Thursday at noon at the funeral of Josep Vilarasau, president of La Caixa for 27 years died this Tuesday, which took place at the Sant Gervasi funeral home, in the upper part of Barcelona. Among the most illustrious attendees, however, was King Felipe VI's sister, Cristina de Borbón, who held various positions in La Caixa's Social Work for 26 years.

Not so many years ago, during my speech at the Christmas gathering of the La Caixa Foundation, I dedicated a few words to Josep Vilarasau. I never miss an opportunity to praise him, and that day, in front of all the staff, I expressed how fortunate I felt to have been able to work alongside him, as well as highlighting his immense contribution to the success of La Caixa. I asked for applause in his honor, and all the employees responded with a long and heartfelt ovation. Vilarasau, who was in the front row, took the microphone and said: “You exaggerate, but I like it”.

[[This interview was published in 2012]] We are probably in front of one of the most influential bankers of the 20th century. He receives us in his office, where he has recently become accustomed to speaking with journalists again, after nine years of silence. He is friendly, but you can tell he doesn't like it. The idea of retiring from one day to the next seemed "unbearable" to him, he has written in his memoirs. The strange path of La Caixa , which has now been published by RBA. That's why he has to speak, in a book that only addresses his professional career. The financial law (Rodrigo Rato), in its adaptation to Catalan legislation (Artur Mas), approved by the Parliament (consent of the PSC), included a provision ad hoc to remove him from power after 27 years at La Caixa. Asked about the issue at an informal breakfast in a city bar, the current president of the Generalitat and candidate for re-election for CiU stated: "In Catalonia, power is exercised from Plaça de Sant Jaume, not from Diagonal".

The historic president of La Caixa, Josep Vilarasau (Barcelona, February 20, 1931), died this Tuesday at the age of 95, as reported by La Vanguardia and confirmed by ARA. Vilarasau led the entity for 27 years, between 1976 and 2003. First as general director and then as president, La Caixa experienced under his management a leap to become a financial giant in the State.