Maria Celeste Net Worth

Maria Celeste Net Worth and Career Highlights

Net Worth and Salary: Maria Celeste, a prominent Puerto Rican investigative journalist, actress, and television host, has a net worth of $25 million. She is widely recognized for hosting and producing the Spanish-language news program Al Rojo Vivo, which, at its peak, aired in 15 countries and attracted 35 million viewers daily. Maria Celeste's tenure with Telemundo ended in August 2020.

Early Life and Achievements

Maria Celeste Arrarás, better known as Maria Celeste, was born on September 27, 1960, in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. During her youth, she excelled in competitive swimming. In 1971, she won three medals—gold, silver, and bronze—at the Central American and Caribbean Swimming Championships. Though aiming for the 1976 Summer Olympics, she was sidelined by mononucleosis.

At 18, Maria represented Mayagüez in the 1979 Miss Puerto Rico pageant, securing the position of 1st runner-up. She later attended Loyola University of New Orleans, majoring in communications and public relations.

Broadcasting Career

Maria's broadcasting career began at Puerto Rican television station Canal 24, where she served as a reporter. In 1986, she joined the New York Telemundo affiliate WNJU. Her exceptional work caught the attention of Univision executives, leading to her co-anchor role on Miami-based Primer Impacto in 1994.

In 2006, Maria made history as the first Telemundo host to co-host NBC's Today Show. She also served as a judge for the Miss Universe pageant in 2003 and 2006. Throughout her career, Maria has interviewed numerous notable figures, including Yolanda Saldívar, the convicted murderer of Tejano music star Selena Quintanilla-Pérez.

Authorship

In 2007, Maria authored a children's book, The Magic Cane, also published in Spanish as El Bastón Mágico. She followed it up in 2009 with Make Your Life Prime Time: How to Have It All Without Losing Your Soul, which was also released in Spanish as Vive Tu Vida Al Rojo Vivo: Secretos Para Triunfar En Todo.