Lili Estefan and Raúl de Molina, the beloved hosts of “El Gordo y la Flaca,” have received a prestigious honor with their very own stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The ceremony took place on Thursday morning, celebrating their remarkable contributions to television and entertainment.
Since its debut in 1998, “El Gordo y la Flaca” has been a staple for Latino audiences, offering a unique blend of celebrity news and entertainment. The hosts were each awarded individual stars near Hollywood Boulevard and La Brea Avenue, marking an incredible milestone in their careers.
The event featured an array of notable guest speakers, including former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, singer Gloria Estefan, actor Paul Rodriguez, and the hosts’ children, Mia de Molina and Lina Luaces. Gloria Estefan, a celebrated singer and family member of Lili Estefan, highlighted the importance of their recognition as immigrants who have achieved success in the United States.
Raúl de Molina, who has spent 31 years in television, expressed his astonishment at receiving this honor. “I never imagined I would get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, but here we are today,” he said. Reflecting on his first visit to Los Angeles at the age of 20, he recalled being in awe of the famous landmarks, never expecting to one day be part of them.
Gloria Estefan emphasized the impact of their achievements, stating, “For immigrants, it’s important to see that through hard work and perseverance, dreams can come true.” De Molina echoed this sentiment, encouraging aspiring individuals to pursue their goals, and reinforcing that “the American Dream is still alive.”
The stars awarded to Estefan and de Molina are the 2,801st and 2,802nd additions to the Hollywood Walk of Fame since its inception in 1961. “El Gordo y la Flaca,” which translates to “The Fat Man and the Skinny Woman,” has remained Univision’s longest-running and most-watched program, further solidifying its cultural significance.
Lili Estefan’s illustrious career includes a Daytime Emmy win in 2018 for outstanding talent in a Spanish-language program, along with nominations in 2021 and 2022 for her work on “Red Table Talk: The Estefans.” Meanwhile, de Molina has received multiple Emmy nominations and has been recognized as one of the most influential Hispanics in the U.S. by People en Español.
Raúl de Molina was born in Havana, Cuba, in 1959, later moving to Spain and then the United States. Before his television career, he worked as a photographer for major publications, including Time and Newsweek. Lili Estefan, born in Santiago de Cuba in 1967, moved to the U.S. with her family at a young age and began her television career as a model on Univision’s “Sábado Gigante.”
Despite their decades-long success, Estefan and de Molina have no plans of stepping away from their show anytime soon. Their journey serves as a testament to perseverance, talent, and the lasting impact of Latino voices in entertainment.