Carlos Scola Pliego remains a mystery to many despite his connections to fame. This Spanish director gained attention not just for his work behind the camera, but for his short marriage to Nigerian-British singer Sade Adu.
Born in Spain, Pliego built a film career that spans from script supervision to directing documentaries. His work on major productions like the James Bond film “Never Say Never Again” shows his skill in the industry.
Yet, most people know him as Sade Adu’s ex-husband rather than for his films. This combination of professional talent and personal privacy makes Carlos Scola Pliego an intriguing figure worth exploring.
What drives a man to work on films about gorillas in Africa? How did he meet one of music’s most private stars? Why did their marriage end so quickly? Let’s uncover the story of this enigmatic filmmaker.
Early Life
Carlos Scola Pliego was born in Spain, though details about his exact birthdate and childhood remain scarce. He grew up in a Christian family and maintains his faith to this day.
Many sources suggest Pliego attended a community school in his youth. Unlike many in the film industry, he reportedly skipped college, choosing instead to pursue his passion for directing right away.
His early life shaped his path toward filmmaking, though he keeps these formative years private. This pattern of privacy would continue throughout his life, even during times when the spotlight found him.
The lack of information about Pliego’s early years adds to his mystique. While we know little about his childhood, his later work reveals a man interested in telling stories through film.
His Spanish roots influenced his career path and would later play a role in his personal life, too. Spain served as both his home and the backdrop for significant moments in his professional and romantic life.
Career Beginnings
Carlos Scola Pliego started his film career in 1979. His first job came as a script supervisor for the Spanish film “La boda del señor cura.” This role taught him the basics of filmmaking from behind the scenes.
Just a year later, in 1980, he supervised the script of “Opera Prima.” This film received better reviews than his first project, helping him build a reputation in Spanish cinema.
These early roles gave Pliego a solid foundation in the film industry. Script supervision requires attention to detail and understanding of story flow—skills that would serve him well as his career advanced.
After proving himself in script supervision, Pliego moved up to assistant director. This promotion showed his growing skills and reputation in the Spanish film industry.
His first assignment as an assistant director came with “Eleni,” a war drama starring John Malkovich. The film explores a mother’s love for her children amid conflict, showing Pliego’s involvement with emotionally complex stories early in his career.
Rise in the Film Industry
Carlos Scola Pliego’s career took a major step forward in 1983. He worked as a second assistant director on the James Bond film “Never Say Never Again,” starring Sean Connery. This project introduced him to big-budget international filmmaking.
Working with Hollywood stars like Connery, Klaus Brandauer, and Kim Basinger gave Pliego valuable experience. The scale of a James Bond production far exceeded his previous Spanish projects.
In 1985, Pliego joined the team of the miniseries “Christopher Columbus.” This historical drama explored the famous explorer’s journeys and challenges. The project added depth to Pliego’s growing resume.
These varied projects helped Pliego build skills across different types of productions. From war dramas to spy thrillers to historical pieces, he gained wide-ranging experience in the film industry.
This diversity of work prepared him for his next career move: directing his projects. The knowledge gained from working on various sets would shape his approach to filmmaking.
Directorial Work
After years of learning from other directors, Carlos Scola Pliego stepped behind the camera himself. In 1988, he wrote and directed “Ngira: Gorilas en la montaña,” a documentary about gorillas in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
This first directorial project revealed Pliego’s interest in wildlife and African subjects. Rather than pursuing commercial films, he chose to focus on documentary storytelling.
Just a year later, in 1989, Pliego directed his first full-length documentary, “Donde Termina el Corazon.” This film offered viewers a fresh perspective on the African continent, further showing his interest in telling stories from Africa.
Despite their artistic merit, Pliego’s documentaries did not achieve great commercial success. They remain relatively unknown outside film circles and those familiar with his connection to Sade Adu.
His choice of documentary subjects suggests a filmmaker interested in nature, wildlife, and cultures different from his Spanish background. These themes show a director looking beyond commercial appeal to tell stories he found meaningful.
Meeting Sade Adu
Carlos Scola Pliego’s life changed in 1985 when he met Sade Adu. They first crossed paths during the filming of music videos for her album “Promise” in Spain.
Surprisingly, their initial meeting did not spark an immediate romance. Both were focused on their respective careers at the time—Pliego on his film work and Sade on her rising music career.
Their paths crossed again when Sade faced personal tragedy. After her father died, she received unwanted media attention and sought escape. She decided to move to Spain for a change of scenery.
This relocation to Spain brought her back into contact with Pliego. Away from the pressure of her fame in the UK, Sade found comfort in Spain and Pliego’s company.
Their relationship developed naturally during this time. What began as a professional connection evolved into a personal bond that would lead to marriage, though their story would not have the happy ending many expected.
Marriage to Sade Adu
As their relationship grew, Sade fell deeply in love with Carlos. Friends noted her affection for the Spanish director. She even began introducing him as her husband before they officially married, showing her commitment.
Carlos supported Sade during the creation of her album “Stronger Than Pride.” He stayed with her in the studio until she finished recording sessions, demonstrating his support for her career.
The couple made their relationship official on October 11, 1989. They married in a Spanish castle, a romantic setting that matched their whirlwind romance.
After the wedding, they settled in Madrid, making Spain their home. For a brief time, the filmmaker and the singer seemed to have found happiness together.
Their marriage united two private people who worked in creative fields—one behind the camera and one in front of microphones. But despite this seemingly perfect match, their relationship would soon face troubles.
The Short-Lived Marriage
The fairy tale didn’t last long. Just one year after their wedding, Sade left Carlos and moved back to London. The sudden end shocked fans who had followed their romance.
Sade kept the details of their separation private at first. Her silence only increased public curiosity about what had happened between the couple.
Years later, in an interview with The FADER magazine, Sade offered some insight. She described her marriage as “a very bad situation” that she had to leave quickly, taking just one small bag with her.
She added that it took her five years to recover from what she experienced in the marriage. While not sharing specific details, her comments hinted at serious problems.
Carlos, true to his private nature, has never spoken publicly about their divorce. Unlike Sade, he hasn’t even given hints about what happened in their marriage. Their divorce was finalized in 1995, officially ending their brief union.
Life After Divorce
After the divorce, Carlos Scola Pliego retreated from public view. While Sade continued her successful music career, Pliego chose a life away from the spotlight.
This stark difference in their post-divorce paths highlights their different approaches to fame. Sade, though private, remained a public figure through her music. Carlos, on the other hand, seemed to avoid public attention completely.
Information about Pliego’s life after Sade becomes increasingly scarce. His choice to maintain privacy has kept his later career and personal life largely unknown to the public.
This silence has led to speculation about his current activities, but no confirmed details have emerged. Unlike many who might use their connection to fame for personal gain, Pliego has not capitalized on his relationship with Sade.
His retreat from public life contrasts sharply with the brief period when his name appeared in music magazines and entertainment news due to his marriage to one of music’s most beloved voices.
Career Legacy
Despite limited public recognition, Carlos Scola Pliego’s film career shows dedication to the craft. His work spans script supervision, assistant directing, and directing his documentaries.
His contributions to Spanish cinema, while not widely celebrated, reveal a filmmaker committed to telling diverse stories. From Spanish productions to international collaborations, he built a varied body of work.
Pliego’s documentaries about Africa demonstrate his interest in capturing real-world subjects. These films, though not commercially successful, show his artistic vision and interests beyond mainstream entertainment.
His work on major productions like “Never Say Never Again” connects him to significant moments in film history. Though his role was not in the spotlight, he contributed to beloved classics.
The full scope of Pliego’s career legacy remains difficult to assess due to his privacy and the limited information available about his later work. His choice to stay out of the public eye has kept much of his professional life hidden.
Financial Status
Unlike many public figures, Carlos Scola Pliego’s net worth remains unknown. Despite working on numerous film projects, no reliable information exists about his financial situation.
This lack of financial details stands in stark contrast to his ex-wife Sade, whose net worth exceeds $70 million. Her successful music career has brought her considerable wealth.
Pliego’s work as a director and assistant director would typically provide a comfortable living, but without specific information, we can only speculate about his earnings and investments.
His choice to keep his finances private aligns with his overall approach to personal information. Like many aspects of his life, Carlos has kept his financial status out of public discussion.
This privacy makes it impossible to compare his financial success to others in the film industry or to his famous ex-wife. What we know about Carlos Scola Pliego has little to do with money.
Carlos Scola Pliego Today
Current information about Carlos Scola Pliego remains elusive. His continued commitment to privacy means few details emerge about his present life and activities.
Some reports suggest he still works in film, though in less visible roles than in his earlier career. Without official statements or public appearances, these reports remain unconfirmed.
His lasting impact can be measured partly through the films he helped create and partly through his brief connection to music history via his marriage to Sade. These dual legacies keep his name alive in certain circles.
Those who worked with him in the film industry might remember his professionalism and skill. Though not a household name, his contributions to films and documentaries live on through those productions.
The mystery surrounding Pliego today only adds to the intrigue of his story. A man who worked on James Bond films and married one of music’s most mysterious stars has, fittingly, become something of a mystery himself.
Conclusion
Carlos Scola Pliego’s life weaves together film, music, love, and privacy. From his early work in Spanish cinema to his brief marriage to Sade Adu, his story captures attention despite his desire to avoid the spotlight.
His career shows a man dedicated to filmmaking across various roles. As script supervisor, assistant director, and director, he contributed to both Spanish and international productions.
His personal life, marked by a short marriage to a famous singer, brought him unexpected attention. Yet even during this time, he maintained his privacy as much as possible.
Today, Carlos Scola Pliego stands as an example of someone who achieved fame but chose not to embrace it. In an era of social media and constant exposure, his commitment to privacy seems almost radical.
The Spanish director’s story reminds us that not everyone seeks the spotlight, even when circumstances push them toward it. Carlos Scola Pliego chose his path—one that led away from public view and into a life defined by his terms.
