American singer, poet and writer Patti Smith has been awarded the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for the Arts.
Widely regarded as one of the most influential cultural figures of recent decades, Patti Smith has built a multidisciplinary career spanning music, poetry, photography, literature and performance art.
Beyond her artistic achievements, Smith is also recognized for her longstanding commitment to social and political causes, becoming an international symbol of activism and civil rights advocacy.
The jury praised her “impetuous creativity, which connects rock, symbolist poetry and the spirit of counterculture with great expressive power," highlighting a career that continues to inspire new generations.
Known as “the Godmother of Punk," Smith revolutionized contemporary music with albums such as Horses and has also been acclaimed for her literary work with titles such as Just Kids, which received the National Book Award.
The Princess of Asturias Awards ceremony will take place in October in Oviedo.
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Source: https://www.fpa.es/es/premios-princesa-de-asturias/premiados/2026-patti-smith/?texto=acta