Deidre Pujols

Deidre Pujols, a philanthropist and entrepreneur, became a mother at the age of 21 when she gave birth to her daughter, Isabella, who was diagnosed with Down Syndrome shortly after birth. Shortly after Isabella's arrival, Deidre met professional baseball player Albert Pujols. The couple married in 2000, with Albert fully embracing Isabella as his own. Albert's career took off with his signing to the Cardinals in 2001. The couple divorced after 22 years of marriage in 2022.

In 2005, Pujols used her passion for helping others to establish the Pujols Family Foundation, a driving force for many charitable works. This foundation promotes awareness, provides hope, and meets the tangible needs of children and families who live with Down Syndrome. It also works to improve the standard of living and quality of life for impoverished people in the Dominican Republic through education, medical relief, and tangible goods. Additionally, it provides extraordinary experiences for children with disabilities and/or life-threatening illnesses.

Adding to her philanthropic endeavors, Pujols founded Open Gate International (OGI) in 2016. This organization supports survivors of vulnerable life situations and operates a culinary program in a juvenile hall in Orange County, CA, with plans for nationwide expansion. A year later, in 2017, she created Strike Out Slavery, a platform to raise awareness about modern-day slavery. These initiatives have led Deidre to be invited to both the White House and the Vatican to discuss efforts to combat human trafficking.

In February 2019, Pujols received the Humanitarian Award from the United Nations Women for Peace Association in recognition of her tireless efforts. In addition to her work, she finds time to express her passion for Dominican cooking, launching a website and a cookbook/calendar featuring some of her favorite Dominican recipes. The cookbook/calendar is available from the Pujols Family Foundation store. She also created Pujols Kitchen Cookware, an innovative line of cookware inspired by the rich culture and culinary excellence of the Dominican Republic.