In 1790, Zavala was commissioned into the Cavalry Regiment of the Nobility as ensign and was transferred to the Company of Dragoons of Queen María Luisa in 1797.

In 1812, Zavala created the King's Cavalry Company and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Royal Army.

However, his mission was abruptly delayed since the brigantine Maypú in which Zavala was transported was captured by an Argentinian frigate in June 1821.

Joined to the Infante Don Carlos Regiment and afterwards the Battalion of Guías, he was awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic for his services in Peru in 1822 and was appointed Gentilhombre de cámara con ejercicio by Fernando VII in 1824.

He married in 1804 Grimanesa de la Puente y Bravo, 4th Marchioness of Torreblanca, 5th Countess of Villaseñor and 2nd Marchioness of La Puente y Sotomayor, and had twelve children: This biography of a Spanish noble is a stub.