Cristina Saralegui

Cristina Saralegui is a seasoned journalist who is recognized as one of the most influential role models for today's Hispanic woman. She is strong-willed, successful, savvy and committed to making a difference. Time Magazine named her one of the "25 Most Influential Hispanics in America." Saralegui sees her #1 role in media and in life as a motivator for women and a champion of a healthy, gracious, and self-empowered lifestyle.

In 1989, Saralegui made her television debut as host and executive producer of "The Cristina Show" on the Univision Network. The program broke barriers and became a ratings hit. For 21 years, Saralegui and "The Cristina Show" entertained, uplifted, and educated the Hispanic community in the U.S. and throughout the world. Saralegui made it okay for Hispanics to openly discuss issues that had never been talked about on Spanish-language television; topics like sexual education for teens, AIDS awareness and education, as well as human rights issues facing the Hispanic community throughout the world. In the process, "The Cristina Show" became a platform, a voice for millions of Hispanics who may not have otherwise been heard, earning 12 Emmys and making Saralegui a household name.

In October 2011, Saralegui launched a new prime-time weekly television program "Pa'lante con Cristina" ("Moving Forward with Cristina"). The program aired during the 2011- 2012 season on the Telemundo Network. In January of 2012, she launched "The Cristina Channel" a 24/7 radio network for Sirius XM.

The Cuban-born media mogul is the first Spanish-language television personality to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Additionally, she has received numerous awards such as the Foundation of American Women in Radio and Television's "Gracie Allen Tribute Award," AmFAR's "National Community Service Award," The Simon Weisenthal Center's 2004 "International Distinguished Achievement Award" as well as The Hispanic Heritage Foundation's "Arts Award" and the Imagen Foundation's "Lifetime Achievement Award." She is the first Latina to be inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame, where she joins such television legends as Walter Cronkite, Barbara Walters and Johnny Carson.

Saralegui has also participated in many prestigious events such as the Museum of Television and Radio's William S. Paley TV Festival and The National Association of Television Producers and Executives (NATPE) Women in Communications panel. Cristina and Elizabeth Taylor together addressed The United Nations on the subject of AIDS research and education, one of the many causes for which she passionately works. She has been listed in numerous biographical references including "Who's Who in Professional and Executive Women" and "The Top 100 Hispanic Influential People in the U.S." Saralegui's life story was part of The Museum of Tolerance exhibit: Finding Our Families/Finding Ourselves, an effort by the museum to highlight our human similarities, especially as it pertains to the multi-racial rainbow of American immigrants.

Saralegui and her husband founded the "Arriba la Vida/Up with Life Foundation" in 1996, a private foundation dedicated to AIDS awareness and education among Hispanics, as well as other AIDS-related causes that touch the lives of Hispanics everywhere.

Saralegui has received the Valor Award from the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) in recognition of her pioneering efforts in educating her viewers on gay and lesbian issues as well as AIDS awareness and education; The ADCOLOR Award's All-Star Honoree celebrating outstanding achievements by diverse professionals in advertising, marketing and media; as well as the Raúl Julía Award of Excellence by The National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts.

Saralegui is on the Board of Directors of The Museum of Television & Radio and is a member of the National Council of the American Foundation for AIDS Research (AmFAR).