Raúl De Molina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Raúl De Molina
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De Molina at the 2010 Latin Grammys in Las Vegas
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| Born | March 29, 1959 |
| Education | The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale |
| Occupation | Television presenter and photojournalist |
| Television | El Gordo y La Flaca |
| Spouse(s) | Millie de Molina |
| Children | 1 |
Raúl "El Gordo" De Molina (born March 29, 1959, in Havana, Cuba) is a Cuban-American TV host. He is most famous for co-hosting the Univision show El Gordo y la Flaca. He has won many Emmy Awards for his work on the show.
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Early Life and Learning
Raúl De Molina was born in Havana, Cuba, in 1959. When he was 10, his family moved to Spain. They later moved to the United States when he was 16. Raúl became interested in photography when he was a child. He took pictures for his high school yearbook. He later studied at The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale and Miami Photography College.
His Career Journey
Taking Pictures for News
After college, Raúl De Molina worked as a photographer in the 1980s. He took pictures for big news groups like Associated Press and magazines such as Time and Newsweek.
He took photos at news events and sports games. Later, he became a photographer for famous people. He took pictures of important figures like Elizabeth II, Diana, Princess of Wales, Oprah Winfrey, and Robert De Niro. Raúl once said he even hung out of a helicopter to get a photo of a wedding!
His photos were in magazines like Life and ¡Hola!. He also took pictures inside the house of a famous leader during a big event in Panama. His travel photos have been in magazines like National Geographic Traveler and The New York Times Travel section.
In 2005, some of Raúl's best photos were shown in an art exhibit called "Pictures of a Lifetime" in Miami.
Becoming a TV Star
In the 1990s, Raúl De Molina started appearing on TV talk shows. These appearances helped him get noticed by Spanish-language TV channels. In 1998, he became the co-host of El Gordo y la Flaca with Lili Estefan. He has been hosting the show ever since. It is very popular and gets more viewers than many other shows at the same time.
He has also hosted and reported for other TV programs. He has covered big live events like the Latin Grammy Awards and the New Year's Eve party in Times Square. Once, while covering the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, his car caught fire during a safari. He was surrounded by lions! Luckily, a family passing by helped him.
In 2008, People en Español magazine named Raúl De Molina one of the "Most Influential Hispanics" in the United States. He was also featured in their "Most Beautiful" and "Best Dressed" special issues.
Raúl has written books, including La Dieta del Gordo, about his own journey to lose weight. He also writes articles about food, health, sports, and Hispanic culture for different websites.
He has appeared on cooking shows like Iron Chef America as a judge and on talk shows like The Chew. In 2012, he was a judge for the Miss America 2012 pageant. He also appeared in a documentary film in 2020 about the astrologer Walter Mercado.
His Life Outside Work
Raúl De Molina married his wife Millie in 1994. They have a daughter named Mia. He loves to travel and takes many photos of his trips. He often goes on vacation with his family. Raúl has also talked about his health journey and how he works to stay healthy.
He collects watches and art. His collections have been featured in famous newspapers and magazines. He also loves cars and has a special collection of them.
Helping Others
Raúl De Molina supports many groups that help children's health. He helps organizations like Voices for Children and the Miami Children's Health Foundation. He is also an ambassador for the Nicklaus Children's Hospital. He even took photos of the hospital's patients and staff for a special calendar.
Awards and Honors
Raúl De Molina has won several Emmy Awards for his TV work. He has also won three Suncoast Regional Emmys.
In 2013, he received the "20 Years Career Award" at the 31st TVyNovelas Awards. In 2016, he won the "Outstanding Achievement in Hispanic Television" award.
In 2009, Raúl De Molina and his co-host Lili Estefan received their own stars on the Las Vegas Walk of Stars.
| Year | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Outstanding Achievement in Hispanic Television | Won |
| 2015 | Best Male Host | Won |
| 2013 | 20 Years Career Award | Won |
TV Shows and Movies
Television Appearances
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1998–present | El Gordo y la Flaca | Co-host |
| 2015 | The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore | Guest panelist |
| 2012 | Iron Chef America | Judge |
| 2011 | The Wendy Williams Show | Guest |
Film Appearances
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Mucho Mucho Amor: The Legend of Walter Mercado | Documentary film |
See also
In Spanish: Raúl de Molina para niños
- List of television presenters/Cuban American
