Carlos Santana Addresses & Forgives Childhood Abuser

CONTENT WARNING: This article contains a discussion of sexual assault. If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, or domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au.

Carlos Santana has made peace with his childhood abuser, admitting that he feels “really spiritual” and has been able to release trauma in a new interview with People.

Ahead of his new documentary film, Carlos, which premieres at the Tribeca Film Festival in the US this weekend, Santana has been in a reflective place while undertaking his press commitments.

In 2000, the legendary Smooth guitarist revealed his experience with childhood abuse for the first time in an interview with Rolling Stone. 

Alleging that he was abused “almost every day” by an American man who crossed the border, Santana’s alleged abuser brought him toys and gifts and molested him from the ages of ten to 12.

The abuse only ended when Santana fell in love with a girl, making his abuser jealous.

Santana says the abuse happened from 1957 until 1959. In the new interview with People, published yesterday (15 June), he shared that he’s made room for forgiveness.

“I learned to look at everyone who ever went out of their way to hurt me, demean me or make me feel like less, like they’re five or six years old, and I’m able to look at them with understanding and compassion,” Santana said.

He continued, “For example, this person who abused me sexually, instead of sending him to hell forever, I visualized [sic] him like a child, and behind him, there was a lot of light.

“So, I can send him to the light or send him to hell knowing that if I send him to hell, I’m going to go with him. But if I send him to the light, then I’m going to go with him also.”

At 75 years old, Santana has no room in his life for holding onto trauma without making space for forgiveness. He explained, “There’s this saying, ‘Hurt people hurt people.’ It’s my pain. It did happen to me. But if you open your hands, and you let it go, then you don’t feel that anymore.”

Santana’s most recent album, Blessings And Miracles, was released in 2021, featuring collaborations with Rob Thomas, Chris Stapleton and more.