Patti Smith has been awarded the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for the Arts, underscoring her influence as a multidisciplinary artist and activist across rock, poetry, photography, and performance.

Patricia Lee “Patti” Smith, born in Chicago in 1946, rose to prominence as a singer, songwriter, and poet, expanding into photography, performance, and video installation while bringing intellectual depth to punk.

The award highlights her pivotal role in shaping punk since the 1970s and her ongoing impact on contemporary culture.

Among her most influential works are Because the Night (co-written with Bruce Springsteen) and Dancing Barefoot, with Frederick marking a shift toward a more luminous, intimate sound.

The 2026 award ceremony is scheduled for October at Teatro Campoamor in Oviedo, with the jury delivering the verdict in Covadonga Hall at the Eurostars Hotel de La Reconquista.

Each Princess of Asturias Award comprises a Joan Miró sculpture, a diploma, an insignia, and a cash prize of €50,000.

Smith’s most recent book, Bread of Angels, published last year, is her third memoir following Just Kids and M Train.

Her work transcends music to include poetry, memoirs, photography, and curated installations, reflecting a wide and influential artistic practice.

Beyond music, songs like People Have the Power have become political anthems, while Land and Ghost Dance highlight her fusion of poetry, spirituality, and rock.

Her legacy includes the landmark album Horses, inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2021, and a prolific output that spans memoirs and publications, including Bread of Angels in 2025.

Smith’s career is marked by seminal albums, major tours, and acclaimed memoirs such as Just Kids, with a string of honors including Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction and Polar Music Prize.

Her debut solo album Horses (1975) is recognized in the Grammy Hall of Fame, cementing her status as a foundational figure in punk poetry.