Juan de Zubileta was born in Barakaldo, in the neighborhood on the left bank of the Cadagua River, which today retains his name. With a solar home in Barakaldo, he was the son of Martín Ochoa de Zubileta and his wife Sancha, whose last name is unknown. From a wealthy family (Rentería in Bilbao, Rentería in Zubileta, houses in Portugalete, Gordejuela, Mesón de Castrejana etc.) his family owned 4 ships in half with Bertendona and other partners. The family had a tomb in Burtzeña.
An educated boy, he knew how to read and write in romance, that is, in Spanish. At the age of 15, upon hearing the news of the organization of the commercial expedition to Maluco, he felt like embarking on the aforementioned trip, finally boarding the ship Victoria as a page. Juan de Zubileta was 18 years old when he landed back in Sanlúcar de Barrameda
With Juan Sebastián Elcano, a distinguished sailor from Getaria, and 16 other companions, he managed to complete the unthinkable and extraordinary expedition, circumnavigating the world for the first time at the beginning of the 16th century. Juan Sebastián Elcano, Juan de Acurio, Juan de Arratia and Juan de Zubileta completely traveled around the world. The last two carried out all the navigation on the Nao Victoria.
He gave a statement in the Junta of Badajoz to prove the right of Castile to possess the Maluca Islands and there he said he had met Charles I. On May 23, 1524, Juan de Zubileta gave a statement in the Junta of Badajoz together with Acurio, Arratia and Pedro de Tolosa, to prove the right of Castile to the possession of Maluco. The one from Barakaldo declared having met Charles I, but not Kings Ferdinand and Isabella.
He received 200 gold ducats from the Spanish crown. He died in Valladolid at the age of 22, leaving a will for his brothers.
On 4/25/2019, the Plenary Session of the Barakaldo City Council decided to recognize his worth by distinguishing him as the city's Favorite Son.
On September 6, 2022, 500 years have passed since the completion of the circumnavigation of the world that Magellan began and Juan Sebastián Elcano completed.
The stamp reproduces the painting The landing of Elcano in Seville is an oil painting on canvas made by Elías Salaverría Incaurrandieta. It has dimensions of 254 x 239 centimeters. It was a commission requested by the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa in 1922 to commemorate the IV Centenary of the First Around the World (1522-1922) by the Guetaria sailor Juan Sebastián de Elcano.
It is currently located in the Gipuzkoa Provincial Council building.
