With deep sorrow, we mourn the loss of an extraordinary artist, who passed away after a long and devastating  battle against cancer, he faced with immense hope, strength, and courage.
He was a kind and gentle soul. He was so incredibly talented.
We could not write anything more fitting or heartfelt than the words already shared by his band, and we join them with heavy hearts.
We wish Raul Malo eternal peace and rest.
The wonderful music he gave us over more than thirty years of career remains — a legacy that will continue to live on and move us.
We will never forget him. He will be missed forever.
From The Mavericks:
“It’s with the deepest grief we share the passing of our friend, bandmate and brother Raul Malo on December 8th, 2025 at the age of 60.
Anyone with the pleasure of being in Raul’s orbit knew that he was a force of human nature, with an infectious energy. Over a career of more than three decades entertaining millions around the globe, his towering creative contributions and unrivaled, generational talent created the kind of multicultural American music reaching far beyond America itself.
While his spirited performances garnered a massive & loyal following, and his powerful songwriting and musicianship earned multiple Grammy, ACM, and CMA awards, it was his lifelong commitment to the preservation of the multi-lingual American musical repertoire of which he was most proud, making history in 2020 with the first album ever to debut at the top of both the Latin Pop and Folk-Americana charts. It was this commitment, along with his steadfast championing of music education as an inspiration for every child across America and throughout the world, for which Raul was honored with the Americana Music Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and the National Music Council of the United States’ American Eagle Award.
Though his earthly body may have passed, Raul’s spirit will live on forever in heaven, and here on earth through the music, joy, and light he brought forth. His contributions to American and Latin music will be everlasting, as his songs and voice touched fans and fellow artists around the world.
Raul is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Betty; sons Dino, Victor, and Max, mother Norma, sister Carol, and Mavericks bandmates Paul Deakin, Eddie Perez, and Jerry Dale McFadden.
The family thanks everyone for their love & support, and asks for privacy at this time.”
(Photo by Alejandro Menendez Vega)