Margarita Forés Biography: Age, Death, Son, Height, Net Worth, Parents, Siblings, Restaurants, Awards
Margarita Forés, also known as Gaita Forés, was a celebrated Filipino chef, restaurateur and entrepreneur who played a major role in promoting Filipino cuisine internationally. She founded the Cibo restaurant chain and several other successful culinary businesses.
In 2016, she was named Asia’s Best Female Chef by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants.
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| Margarita Forés | |
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| Wiki Facts & About Data | |
| Real Name: | Margarita Araneta Forés |
| Stage Name: | Margarita Forés |
| Born: | March 23, 1959 |
| Died: | 65 years |
| Place of Birth: | Manila, Philippines |
| Nationality: | Filipino |
| Ethnicity: | Filipino |
| Height: | 165 cm (5 ft 5 in) |
| Religion: | Roman Catholic |
| Parents: | Mr. Raul Forés, Mrs. María Lourdes “Baby” Araneta Forés |
| Siblings: | Veanna Forés, Mercedes “Bledes” Forés, Jose “Joe” Forés, Jorge “Oye” Forés |
| Children: | Amado Forés |
| Occupation: | Chef, Restaurateur, Entrepreneur |
| Net Worth: | $10 million |
Early life and education
Margarita Forés was born on March 23, 1959, in Manila, Philippines, to Dr. Raul Forés and María Lourdes “Baby” Araneta Forés. Her father was a prominent physician and one of the founders of Makati Medical Center, while her mother was a well-known Filipino socialite and member of the influential Araneta family.
She grew up alongside her siblings Veanna, Mercedes, Jose and Jorge. Her family later moved to New York, where she attended Marymount School.
She also studied at Mount Holyoke College before returning to the Philippines and completing her education at Assumption College San Lorenzo in 1981, earning a degree in accountancy.
Career
Margarita Forés initially pursued a career outside the culinary world, including work in Hong Kong and New York. Her passion for cooking grew after traveling to Italy in the 1980s, where she spent several months studying Italian cuisine and learning from Italian chefs.
After returning to the Philippines, she established a catering business and eventually opened her first restaurant, Cibo, in 1997. The restaurant became highly successful and developed into a major chain across the Philippines.
She later launched restaurants and culinary concepts including Pepato, Lusso, Grace Park and Alta, as well as businesses focused on catering, flowers and hospitality.
Forés became an influential advocate for Filipino ingredients and culinary traditions. Her work increasingly combined Italian techniques and Filipino produce, helping introduce Filipino flavors to international audiences.
She also participated in international culinary events and collaborated with chefs around the world.
Her greatest international recognition came in 2016 when she was named Asia’s Best Female Chef by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants. She later received the Order of the Star of Italy at the rank of Knight in 2018 for her contribution to Italian culinary culture and relations between Italy and the Philippines.
Awards and honors
- Asia’s Best Female Chef — 2016
- Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy — 2018
- Presidential Medal of Merit — 2025, posthumously
- Recognized internationally for promoting Filipino cuisine and culinary heritage
Personal life
Margarita Forés was 65 years old when she died on February 11, 2025, in Hong Kong. She had one son, Amado Forés, who followed her into the restaurant industry and became a successful restaurateur himself.
Forés was a two-time cancer survivor, having overcome thyroid cancer and later breast cancer. She remained active in the culinary industry until shortly before her death.
She was in Hong Kong during a trip that included Morocco and Madrid when she died unexpectedly. Her family later stated that her death was due to cardiac arrest.
Net worth
Margarita Forés had an estimated net worth of $10 million at the time of her death. Her wealth came primarily from her successful restaurant businesses, catering operations, culinary ventures, hospitality projects and other entrepreneurial activities.
Her Cibo chain became one of the most recognizable Italian restaurant brands in the Philippines, while her other establishments further expanded her influence in the country’s food industry.
Social media
- Instagram: @margaritafores
Filmography
Margarita Forés was primarily a chef, restaurateur and television personality rather than an actress. Her notable television appearances included:
- Inspired with Anna Olson — 2016
- Culinary Journeys — 2016
- Somebody Feed Phil — 2025
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