Raúl De Molina

• Name — Raúl De Molina • Born — 29 March 1959 • Birthplace — Havana, Cuba • Education — The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale • Occupation — Television presenter and photojournalist • Television — El Gordo y La Flaca • Children — 1

Raúl De Molina was born in Havana, Cuba in 1959 to Raul De Molina Sr. and Maria Gomez. De Molina's father was detained as a political prisoner for 24 years by the Communist Party of Cuba. De Molina's family left Havana and lived in Madrid, Spain when he was 10 years old. They moved to the United States when he was 16. His paternal grandfather was Spanish from Galicia. As a child, De Molina became interested in photography. While in high school, he took photos for the school yearbook. He later attended The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale. He was also a graduate of Miami Photography College in North Miami.

After graduating from the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, De Molina worked as a freelance photographer during the 1980s. He first freelanced for Associated Press, before freelancing for the Time, Newsweek, U.S. News & World Report and USA Today. He documented news and live sports events, before eventually becoming a celebrity photographer. He was known for photographing celebrities and royalty including Elizabeth II, Diana, Princess of Wales, Oprah Winfrey, Robert De Niro and Melanie Griffith. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, De Molina commented on the lengths he went to for his photographs, including dangling outside of a helicopter to photograph the wedding of Jane Fonda and Ted Turner. His candid photos appeared in publications such as Life, ¡Hola!, and Paris Match. During the United States invasion of Panama, De Molina was one of the first photographers present and took photos of the inside of Manuel Noriega's house. In addition, he was a special contributor for the Spanish edition of Travel + Leisure magazine and has been featured in National Geographic Traveler, and The New York Times Travel section. In 2005, De Molina's photography was displayed in the "Pictures of a Lifetime" exhibition at the Gary Nader Gallery in Miami.

De Molina began appearing on various talk shows during the 1990s, including The Joan Rivers Show, Maury Povich Show, and Geraldo. These early television appearances brought him to the attention of Spanish-language channels Telemundo and Univision. He made appearances on shows like Sábado Gigante, and in 1998 became the co-host of El Gordo y la Flaca, alongside Lili Estefan. He has continued to host the show ever since, which has more viewers on its time slot than ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX combined. He has hosted and reported for programs such as Primer Impacto, Ocurrió Así, Hola América, and Club Telemundo, as well as primetime specials and his own productions. De Molina has also covered live events such as the Latin Grammy Awards in Las Vegas, and the New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square, Manhattan. While in South Africa to cover the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Molina was stranded during a safari when his car engine caught fire, and he was surrounded by lions. According to Molina, he was rescued after a passing family gave him a ride. In 2008, De Molina was chosen as one of the "Most Influential Hispanics" in the United States by People en Español. He was featured in both the "Most Beautiful" and "Best Dressed" special issues of People en Español. In October 2008, Random House published his second book La Dieta del Gordo about his own struggles with weight, and his secret to losing 70 pounds. De Molina was an inaugural contributor to the HuffPost 's Food section. He continues to write regular columns on food, healthcare, sports and Hispanic culture. He is also a regular contributor to AOL News. In 2008, De Molina appeared on After Hours with Daniel Boulud. He was a judge on Iron Chef America in 2011. He was also a guest on The Chew and The Wendy Williams Show. He was also a judge in the Miss America 2012 pageant besides Kris Jenner, Mark Ballas, and Lara Spencer. In 2015, De Molina was a panelist on The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore. De Molina was prominently featured in the 2020 documentary film Mucho Mucho Amor: The Legend of Walter Mercado, about the life of Puerto Rican astrologer Walter Mercado.

De Molina married his wife Millie de Molina in 1994, and they have a daughter named Mia. He travels extensively and documents his journeys through photography, and frequently vacations with his family. He is a survivor of kidney cancer, and has spoken publicly about his efforts to lose weight and improve his health. De Molina is an avid watch collector and his collection has been featured in The New York Times and Hodinkee. He has also cultivated a collection of art and photography, which includes works by Hunt Slonem, José Bedia Valdés, Li Hongbo, Liu Bolin, Valérie Belin, Lalla Essaydi, Manuel Mendive and Jean-François Rauzier. De Molina serves on Art Basel's host committee, and his annual party is regarded as the unofficial "kick-off" event of the international exhibition show. He has an interest in cars, which he developed as a young teen living in Spain where he often watched car races. His personal car collection includes a special edition 2013 Mini Cooper GP, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and a 2006 Ford GT40.

De Molina has supported various philanthropic organizations, especially those related to children's health. He sponsors Voices for Children and the Miami Children's Health Foundation. He is an ambassador and sponsor for the Nicklaus Children's Hospital. De Molina photographed the hospital's patients and employees for its 2016 benefit calendar.

List of television programs • Year — Title — Credited as — Notes • 1998–present — El Gordo y la Flaca — Co-host • 2018 — Premio Lo Nuestro 2018 — Self — TV special • 2016 — Viva Viviana — Self • 2015 — The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore — Guest panelist • 2013 — The Chew — Guest • 2013 — Arranque de Pasión — Self • 2012 — Iron Chef America — Judge • 2011 — The Wendy Williams Show — Guest • 2010 — Concierto inaugural de la Copa Mundial — Host — TV special • 2008 — After Hours with Daniel Boulud — Self • 2006 — Don Francisco Presenta: ¡Feliz 2007! — Self — TV special • 2006 — 2006 Premios Juventud — Self — TV special • 2005 — Don Francisco Presenta: ¡Feliz 2006! — Self — TV special • 2004-2005 — Pa'lante con Cristina — Self • 2004 — 2004 Premios Juventud — Self — TV special • 2004 — Noche de estrellas: Premio lo Nuestro 2004 — Self — TV special • 2004 — Premio lo Nuestro a la música latina 2004 — Self — TV special • 2003-2004 — Primer Impacto: edición nocturna — Self — TV special • 2003 — Don Francisco Presenta: ¡Feliz 2004! — Self — TV special • 2003 — ¡Suéltalo! — Host • 2003 — República Deportiva — Self • 2003 — ¡Despierta América! — Self • 2002 — Don Francisco Presenta: ¡Feliz 2003! — Self — TV special • 2001 — ¡Pica y se extiende! — Host • 2001 — ¡Qué bodas! — Host

Raúl De Molina is recorded as photographer, photojournalist and journalist.