# Isabel Allende Wins €1 Million Premio Planeta Prize Under Pseudonym

> Chilean-American author Isabel Allende received the prestigious €1 million Premio Planeta literary award for her novel 'La hora antes del alba,' which she submitted under a pseudonym.

By PrimaryBrief newsroom · Published 2026-10-17T20:52:22.660151Z
Canonical: https://primarybrief.com/article/isabel-allende-wins-1-million-premio-planeta-prize-under-pseudonym-c6790c18

Isabel Allende, the 84-year-old Chilean-American author, was awarded the €1 million Premio Planeta literary prize on October 15, 2026, for her novel 'La hora antes del alba' (The Hour Before Dawn) [1][4][8]. She submitted the work using the pseudonym 'Luz Ventura' and the working title 'Los que faltan' [4][14].

This award signifies a notable shift in Allende's publishing career, moving her from Penguin Random House to Grupo Planeta, and comes as she addresses long-held reader inquiries while reflecting on current challenges to democracy [7][15][16]. Her win also highlights the enduring appeal of her characters and themes, nearly 45 years after her debut novel [7][14].

## The Records Show

The announcement of Allende's win for the 75th edition of the Premio Planeta was made in Barcelona, Spain, on October 15, 2026 [4][5]. The novel, 'La hora antes del alba,' serves as a sequel to her 1982 debut, 'The House of the Spirits,' continuing the story of the character Alba after her experiences during the Pinochet dictatorship [1][4][14]. The Premio Planeta is recognized as one of the world's most lucrative literary awards [1][6]. This year's competition saw a record 1,424 submissions [4][10]. Sergio Hernández Carrasco was named the finalist for his novel 'La añoranza,' receiving €200,000 [4][19].

## The Timeline

Allende, born in 1942, is considered the best-selling living Hispanic novelist, with global sales exceeding 80 million books [2][7][8]. The Premio Planeta has been awarded annually in Barcelona every October 15 since 1959, celebrating its 75th anniversary this year [5]. The award gala, held at Fira de Barcelona's Montjuïc venue, was presided over by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain [4][6][9].

## What Changed and For Whom

Allende's decision to enter the competition marks a significant change, as she had previously avoided literary contests [7][14]. Her win means she will now publish with Grupo Planeta, departing from her long-standing relationship of over four decades with Plaza & Janés, an imprint of Penguin Random House [15][16][17]. Penguin Random House wished her

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