Marcela Valladolid Biography: Age, Net Worth, Husband, Height, Children, Mexican Made Easy, Books, Divorce

Marcela Valladolid is an American chef, author, and television personality who became widely known as the host of Food Network’s Mexican Made Easy and as a judge on Best Baker in America.

Born and raised in San Diego with a culinary upbringing in Tijuana, she blends authentic Mexican techniques with approachable home cooking, bringing fresh regional flavors to a broad television audience.

Profile

• Full name: Marcela Luz Valladolid
• Birth date: July 19, 1978
• Age: 47 years old
• Gender: Female
• Place of birth: San Diego, California, U.S.
• State of origin: California
• Nationality: American
• Profession: Chef, author, television personality
• Height: 5 ft 1½ in (1.56 m)
• Weight: 50 kg
• Eye color: Brown
• Hair color: Light brown
• Parents: Antonio Valladolid (father)
• Siblings: N/A
• Spouse: Fausto Gallardo (div. 2004); Philip Button (m. 2012; div. 2013)
• Children: Fausto Gallardo Jr. (born 2004); David Button-Valladolid (born 2015); Anna Carina Button-Valladolid (born 2016)
• Relationship status: Divorced
• Ethnicity: Mexican-American
• Net worth: $1 million

Early Life and Education

Marcela Valladolid is now at the age of 47 and was born on July 19, 1978, in San Diego, California, to corporate attorney Antonio Valladolid.

She spent her early years learning traditional Mexican cooking at her aunt’s cooking school in Tijuana, Mexico, which laid the groundwork for her career in culinary arts.

After high school, she attended the Los Angeles Culinary Institute, earning a cook certification, and then trained as a pastry chef at the Ritz-Escoffier Cooking School in Paris, France.

Personal Life

Marcela Valladolid married environmental activist Fausto Gallardo in 2000; the couple had one son before divorcing in 2004.

In 2012, she wed Philip Button, with whom she had two children before their divorce in 2013.

Her personal life garnered attention in 2013 over a brief affair with co-host Paul Hollywood during The American Baking Competition, a controversy that led to both judges’ spouses filing for divorce.

Career

Marcela Valladolid began her professional journey as an editor and recipe stylist at Bon Appétit magazine before competing on The Apprentice: Martha Stewart in 2005, where she placed fourth.

She launched her television career with Relatos con Sabor on Discovery en Español, then hosted Mexican Made Easy on Food Network from 2010 to 2013.

She co-hosted The Kitchen from 2014 until 2017 and has appeared as a judge on Throwdown! with Bobby Flay, Chopped, Guy’s Grocery Games, Iron Chef America, and Best Baker in America.

Awards

• Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Culinary Host – The Kitchen
• Tournament of Champions (Food Network) – guest competitor and judge

Net worth

Marcela Valladolid’s net worth is estimated at $1 million, built through her television appearances, cookbooks, and restaurant partnerships.

Social Media

• Instagram: @chefmarcela
• Twitter/X: @ChefMarcela

Filmography

• Relatos con Sabor
• Mexican Made Easy
• Throwdown! with Bobby Flay
• Iron Chef America
• Chopped
• Guy’s Grocery Games
• The American Baking Competition
• The Price Is Right
• The Kitchen

Books

• Fresh Mexico: 100 Simple Recipes for True Mexican Flavor
• Mexican Made Easy
• Familia
• Fiestas
• Casa Marcela