Venezuelan television presenter and former beauty queen Patricia Fuenmayor passed away on Monday, June 9, at the age of 51 after an 18-month battle with cancer. Fuenmayor was a New York, New York correspondent for Univision’s morning show Despierta América.
The announcement was made during Monday’s airing of Despierta América, where host Raúl González confirmed Fuenmayor’s death that morning. González described her as a committed and professional journalist.
Fuenmayor’s career began in pageantry, representing Zulia state as a finalist in Miss Venezuela 1997. She was later crowned Miss South America 1998 in Bolivia, gaining recognition throughout Latin America. She transitioned to television journalism after studying communications at Universidad Santa María in Caracas.
Her early media career was established in Venezuela, where she was a presenter on networks such as Venevisión and Teledeportes. She hosted shows like De Boca en Boca, Ají Picante, and Buscando una estrella on Súper Sábado Sensacional, becoming a notable figure in Venezuelan television.
In 2015, Fuenmayor’s life changed after the kidnapping of her husband, Dr. Jorge Safar Pérez, a plastic surgeon, in Venezuela. This event led the family to move to the United States. She shared in interviews how this incident profoundly impacted their lives.
Once in New York, New York, Fuenmayor restarted her career, initially joining Univision 41 as a morning news anchor for Al Despertar. From 2017 onward, she hosted Edición Digital New York, focusing on news relevant to the Hispanic community in the area.
She later became a correspondent for Despierta América, reporting on local and community news stories for Latino audiences. Her colleagues praised her professionalism and warmth, describing her as a trusted figure for immigrants adapting to life in America.
Her death led to an outpouring of tributes from colleagues and viewers. Despierta América posted on Instagram, stating, “We deeply regret the passing of Patricia Fuenmayor, our colleague and correspondent in New York.”
Television anchor Elyangelica González expressed her condolences online, asking for comfort for Fuenmayor’s children and remarking how the sky would be prettier with her arrival. Journalist Astrid Rivera commended her as an outstanding journalist and mother, noting how much she would be missed.
Fuenmayor had over 200,000 followers on Instagram. Her last post in February 2025 showed a photo with her husband and a message of love for him. Earlier, her January holiday post wished followers health, well-being, joy, and abundance for the new year.
She is survived by her husband Jorge Safar Pérez and their two children, Sarah and Chini. Her family was her greatest support during her cancer battle, and she often expressed her deep affection for them.
Fuenmayor’s career spanned several decades, showcasing her versatility in both entertainment and journalism. She worked across various media platforms, including television, radio, and sports coverage, and was recognized for her engaging personality and professional commitment.
