Magaly Medina Biography: Husband, Ethnicity, Awards, Net Worth, Height, Age, Parents

Magaly Jesús Medina Vela, known nationwide as Magaly Medina, is Peru’s most famous and controversial television host, journalist, and media entrepreneur.

Nicknamed “La Urraca” (The Magpie), she pioneered the celebrity-gossip and investigative-entertainment format in Peru with her long-running program Magaly TV, La Firme.

Profile

• Full Name: Magaly Jesús Medina Vela
• Stage Name: Magaly Medina
• Born: 31, March 1963
• Age: 62 years old
• Birthplace: Huacho, Lima Province, Peru
• Nationality: Peruvian
• Occupation: Television Host, Journalist, Producer, Entrepreneur
• Height: 1.63 m
• Parents: Luis Medina and Jesús Vela
• Siblings: Jimmy Medina Vela
• Spouse: Marco Mendoza (m. 1983–1985), Alfredo Zambrano (m. 2006–2011), Alfredo Zambrano (m. 2016)
• Children: Gianmarco Mendoza Medina
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $18 million

Early Life and Education

Magaly Jesús Medina Vela was born on March 31, 1963, in the coastal city of Huacho to Luis Medina, a naval officer, and Jesús Vela, a schoolteacher. She grew up with her younger brother Jimmy in a middle-class military family.

At 18 she moved to Lima and studied journalism at Universidad Femenina del Sagrado Corazón, graduating in 1986.

While still in university she began writing gossip columns for newspapers like La República and Ojo, quickly earning a reputation for bold celebrity coverage. Of mestizo or Latin‑American heritage, her religious belief is unknown to the media.

Career

Magaly made her television debut in 1991 hosting the late-night gossip show Fuego Cruzado on RTP. In 1997 she launched Magaly TV on ATV, a program that revolutionized Peruvian entertainment journalism by airing hidden-camera exposés (“ampays”) of celebrities.

The show dominated ratings for over a decade and spawned imitators. After a brief prison sentence in 2008–2009 for defamation (later reduced on appeal), she returned stronger than ever, moving her program to Latina in 2012 and rebranding it Magaly TV, La Firme, which continues to lead prime-time ratings.

Beyond television, she has published best-selling books, fronted a successful YouTube channel (Magaly TV La Firme), and expanded her media empire with digital platforms and merchandise.

She has won multiple Premios Luces as Best Entertainment Host and remains the most influential opinion-maker in Peruvian show business.

Magaly Medina still commands the highest ratings in late-night television with Magaly TV, La Firme, broadcast Monday through Friday on Latina.

Her program consistently beats all competition and her social media reach exceeds 10 million followers across platforms. She is widely regarded as the most powerful woman in Peruvian media.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @magalymedina.oficial
• TikTok: @magalymedinaoficial
• YouTube: Magaly TV La Firme

Personal Life

Magaly was married briefly to radio host Marco Mendoza from 1983 to 1985, with whom she had her only son, Gianmarco Mendoza Medina, born 1984. She married notary Alfredo Zambrano in 2006, divorced in 2011, and remarried him in 2016; they remain together.

Known for her disciplined lifestyle, love of fitness, and strong personality, Magaly is also recognized for her philanthropy through Fundación Magaly Medina and her outspoken defense of press freedom.

Net Worth

Magaly Medina has an estimated net worth of approximately $18 million. Her fortune comes primarily from her television contracts, her production company, advertising revenue from her YouTube channel and social media, real estate investments in Lima and Miami, and various business ventures including a clothing line and beauty products.