Eduardo Martínez Somalo (born 31 March 1927) is a Spanish cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. Martínez was born in the small town of Baños de Río Tobía in La Rioja, Spain. Martínez received his episcopal consecration on 13 December 1975. He was Cardinal protodeacon from 29 January 1996 to 9 January 1999. Martínez retired as Prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life on 11 February 2004.