Why did Carlos Santana and Deborah Santana separate? All about singer’s family

Carlos and Deborah Santana divorced in 2007, after 34 years of marriage, because of infidelity and other personal issues chronicled in Deborah Santana's memoir.

Carlos Santana, the Grammy award-winning guitarist who is famous for his blend of rock and blues with Latin music, got married to Deborah Santana, but they divorced in 2007 after 34 years of marriage. The two filed a divorce case in the Marin County Superior Court on October 19, and Deborah cited that they had ‘irreconcilable differences.’

The reasoning behind the divorce was explored further in the memoir penned by Deborah Santana in 2005, Space Between the Stars: My Journey to an Open Heart. In the book, she detailed some of the difficulties in the marriage, such as Carlos Santana being unfaithful, and spoke about her journey to self-exploration and growth.

“I am Carlos's wife, but I am first myself,” she wrote to highlight her transformation.

After releasing the memoir, Carlos Santana offered some comments for the first time and admitted that his actions unfolded when he became unanswerable. In a statement to the Associated Press, he said,

“I sincerely apologized to her and to my kids when I wasn’t in my right mind and did something hurtful. It has helped me become more humble and to try harder to be the man she wants me to be.”

Family and professional collaboration

While married, this couple co-founded the Milagro Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to helping disadvantaged children. Apart from their philanthropic efforts, the couple also worked together on a business venture — a chain of Mexican restaurants called Baedalia that started in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2007 called Maria, Maria.

Carlos and Deborah Santana have three children: Salvador, Stella, and Angelica. Their son, Salvador, is a musician as well and has collaborated with his father on a couple of projects.

In the audiobook version of Deborah Santana’s memoir, background music includes: Carlos Santana, along with Salvador Santana and Deborah’s father, blues guitarist Saunders King. One striking moment of the recording is when her father sings Danny Boy to her shortly before he dies, then her daughter Angelica recites a poem.

Carlos Santana’s health and current family life

Carlos Santana's health has been a concern these past few years. He canceled one of the concerts he was going to do on April 22, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas, because of dehydration.

Michael Vrionis, Santana’s manager, stated that the artist fell sick during his pre-show arrangements and, for safety reasons, was taken to the hospital. Santana is “doing well,” Vrionis noted and shared that Santana intends to continue his U.S. tour.

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Santana postponed the start of his residency in Las Vegas due to a hand injury caused by a fall. Santana anticipates returning to performances in May before continuing to the European tour scheduled for summer.

Cindy Blackman is now Santana’s wife, having married him in 2010.

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