Raul Malo, the celebrated singer, songwriter, and frontman of The Mavericks, has died at the age of 60. Malo passed away on Monday, December 8, 2025, following a battle with leptomeningeal disease (LMD), a rare form of cancer affecting the brain and spinal cord, which he had publicly revealed in September 2025.
The news of his death was first reported by Rolling Stone.
“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,” the band wrote in a statement obtained by PEOPLE. “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.”
The Mavericks lauded Malo’s spirited performances, powerful songwriting, and musicianship, which earned him multiple Grammy, ACM, and CMA awards. They highlighted his dedication to preserving the multi-lingual American musical repertoire, noting the 2020 milestone when Malo released the first album ever to debut at the top of both the Latin Pop and Folk-Americana charts.
“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,” the band added. “His contributions to American and Latin music will be everlasting, as his songs and voice touched fans and fellow artists around the world.”
Malo’s family also paid tribute, describing him as a man who embodied “life and love, joy and passion, family, friends, music, and adventure.” They thanked fans for their outpouring of support and closed with Malo’s own words: “Muchísimas gracias.”
Born in Miami, Malo co-founded The Mavericks in 1989, releasing their self-titled debut album independently a year later. Over a career spanning more than three decades, the band released 13 albums and won a Grammy Award. Malo co-wrote many of The Mavericks’ hits and contributed to Rick Trevino’s 2003 single “In My Dreams.”
In the days leading up to his death, Malo’s wife, Betty, shared updates on Instagram, asking fans to send letters and donations to support his care. She posted a photo of Malo alongside one of his musical idols, Tony Bennett, captioning it: “As Raul spends his time now with our immediate family, please continue to lift him and everyone up in prayer as he battles #LMDCancer.”
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