Raúl De Molina Biography: Net Worth, Age, Salary, Parents, Wife, Children, Height
Biography
Raúl De Molina, popularly known as “El Gordo,” is a Cuban-American television presenter and photojournalist born on March 29, 1959, in Havana, Cuba.
He is best known for co-hosting the long-running Univision entertainment news and gossip show El Gordo y la Flaca since 1998, alongside Lili Estefan. The program is one of the highest-rated in its time slot among Hispanic audiences.
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De Molina emigrated from Cuba as a child, lived in various places, including Spain during his youth, and settled in the United States at age 16. He studied at The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale.
Over his career, he has earned multiple Emmy Awards for his work on the show and is recognized as one of the most influential figures in Hispanic media. He has also covered major events such as the Latin Grammys and New Year’s Eve in Times Square, and has authored a best-selling book on weight loss, La Dieta del Gordo.
He has been married to Millie de Molina since 1995, and they have one child. In 2025, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
| Cuban-American television presenter and photojournalist | |
| Raúl De Molina | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Wiki Facts & About Data | |
| Real Name: | Raúl De Molina |
| Stage Name: | El Gordo |
| Born: | 29 March 1959 (age 66 years old) |
| Place of Birth: | Havana, Cuba |
| Nationality: | Cuban, American |
| Education: | South Miami High School, The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, Miami Photography College |
| Height: | 173 cm |
| Parents: | María de Molina, Raúl De Molina Sr. |
| Siblings: | N/A |
| Spouse: | Millie de Molina (m. 1995) |
| Girlfriend • Partner: | Not Dating |
| Children: | Mia de Molina |
| Occupation: | Photojournalist • TV Personality |
| Net Worth: | $18 million (USD) |
Early Life & Education
Raúl De Molina, affectionately known as “El Gordo,” was born on March 29, 1959, in Havana, Cuba.
His parents were Raúl De Molina Sr. and María Molina-Gómez. Political upheaval soon disrupted his early years: shortly after his birth, his father was imprisoned as a political prisoner by Fidel Castro’s communist regime, serving 24 years behind bars. This left De Molina to be raised primarily by his mother.
In 1969, at age 10, his family fled Cuba and resettled in Madrid, Spain, where he spent much of his pre-teen and early teenage years. Around age 11, while living in Spain, his mother bought him a camera, sparking a lifelong passion for photography that would shape his career.
As a teenager (around age 16), the family immigrated to the United States, settling in Miami, Florida. There, he attended South Miami High School. He later pursued formal training in photography, attending and graduating from The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale and Miami Photography College in North Miami.
De Molina is of Cuban ethnicity, with Spanish ancestry—his paternal grandfather hailed from Galicia, Spain. He identifies as Catholic. No public records or biographical details mention any siblings.
Career
Raúl De Molina began his career as a photojournalist before becoming a major figure in Hispanic television. After graduating from The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale and Miami Photography College, he worked as a freelance photographer in the 1980s.
He covered local news and sports in Miami, as well as international conflicts in Central and South America, Haiti, and Panama for the Associated Press. His photos were published in well-known magazines such as Time, Newsweek, U.S. News & World Report, USA Today, Life, and Paris Match.
Later, he shifted to celebrity and paparazzi photography, working for the National Enquirer and photographing stars like Oprah Winfrey, Princess Diana, Muhammad Ali, and Sophia Loren.
In the early 1990s, De Molina used his photography experience to move into television, appearing as a guest on American talk shows such as The Joan Rivers Show, Maury, and Geraldo, as well as on Spanish-language shows such as Sábado Gigante.
His big break came in 1998 when he became co-host of Univision’s entertainment news show El Gordo y la Flaca with Lili Estefan. The show, which began on September 21, 1998, quickly became one of the top programs in Hispanic media, known for its lively interviews and entertainment news.
De Molina’s nickname, “El Gordo,” became widely recognized, and together with Estefan, he helped the show reach a large audience and keep high ratings for more than 25 years. He is known for his energetic style and has covered major events for Univision, including the Latin Grammys, World Cups, royal weddings, and other global events.
He has also hosted specials like ¡Qué bodas! and appeared in programs such as Feliz Navidad. De Molina has won several Daytime Emmy Awards for El Gordo y la Flaca, including three personal awards and the show’s first Daytime Emmy in 2015, as well as Suncoast Regional Emmys.
In 2009, he received a star on the Las Vegas Walk of Stars, and in February 2025, he and Lili Estefan were honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the Television category.
Named one of People en Español’s most influential Hispanics, his path from freelance photographer to TV icon highlights his adaptability, passion for storytelling, and strong connection with Hispanic audiences worldwide.
Social Media
- Wikipedia: Raúl De Molina
- Instagram: RDM- Raul De Molina (@rauldemolina)
- Twitter: Raúl De Molina (@rauldemolina) / X
- Facebook: Raúl De Molina (@rauldemolina)
- IMDb: Raul de Molina
Personal Life
Raúl De Molina, born on March 29, 1959, is 66 years old.
He stands at 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) tall, maintaining an average build that has become part of his public persona as “El Gordo.”
De Molina has been married only once, to Mily de Molina (also known as Millie), whom he wed in the mid-1990s—sources cite dates ranging from 1994 to March 7, 1995. The couple has been together for over 30 years, often sharing glimpses of their enduring relationship through family vacations and public appearances.
They have one child, a daughter named Mia de Molina (sometimes referred to as Mia Teresa), born around 2000, who has grown up largely out of the spotlight but occasionally joins her parents at events, including red carpets and milestone celebrations, such as De Molina‘s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in 2025.
De Molina frequently highlights his family’s travels and his close bond with his wife and daughter, portraying a stable, loving home life that contrasts with his energetic on-screen presence.
Net Worth
Raúl De Molina, the longtime co-host of Univision’s El Gordo y la Flaca, has an estimated net worth of $18 million, according to reliable sources such as Celebrity Net Worth.
Some older or less-verified reports have suggested higher figures, up to $50 million, but $18 million remains the most commonly cited and credible estimate based on his career earnings. His wealth primarily stems from his over 25 years on the top-rated Hispanic entertainment show, during which his salary has varied.
At the peak of the program’s popularity in the early 2000s, De Molina reportedly earned around $7 million annually. As ratings adjusted, his salary decreased in stages—first to about $4 million, then to the current estimated $2 million per year.
Additional income comes from endorsements, event hosting (such as Latin Grammys red carpets and Times Square New Year’s Eve broadcasts), photography work, and other media appearances.
De Molina‘s financial success supports a comfortable lifestyle, including family travel, real estate investments, and philanthropy, while he continues to thrive in Hispanic media alongside co-host Lili Estefan (whose separate net worth is estimated at around $12 million).
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