Maria Elvira Salazar

Maria Elvira Salazar began her journalism career in 1983 as a general assignment reporter for Channel 23. Within a year, she was pioneering in the realm of U.S. Spanish-language broadcast journalism by joining the National News for the Spanish International Network, which later evolved into Univision. During her tenure at Univision, she was an executive reporter covering significant events such as the civil war in El Salvador from their Central American bureau, and served as an international correspondent for the White House and Pentagon.

In 1988, Salazar became the founding anchor for CNN Español, marking the establishment of the network's Spanish language news service. She spent two decades honing her reputation as a reliable reporter and an authority on Latin American affairs. Salazar departed from Telemundo in 2002 and transitioned to America TV 41 with her own program, "Maria Elvira Confronta," which garnered considerable acclaim in Florida for its engaging format. In 2003, she moved to Channel 22, which was subsequently acquired by the Spanish Broadcasting System (SBS) in 2006 and renamed Mega TV. Here, she continued her signature style of political debate shows, culminating in the creation of "Maria Elvira Live!" which she independently produces. This show airs at 8 PM EST on Mega TV from her studio in Miami, Florida.

Salazar has been recognized with five Emmy Awards for her prowess in broadcast journalism. She has reported on major global events, including the transitions to democracy in South America and has interviewed influential figures such as Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, and leaders like Alvaro Uribe and Vicente Fox. Notably, she conducted the last media interview with Chilean President Augusto Pinochet and was the first U.S. Spanish-language television journalist to interview Cuban leader Fidel Castro. Besides her illustrious broadcasting career, Salazar authored the best-selling book "Si Dios Contigo, Quien Contra Ti?" and holds a B.A. in Communication from the University of Miami, along with a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.

Specializing in high-profile interviews and covering transformative global events, Salazar has firmly established herself as a leading figure in Spanish-language broadcast journalism. Her programs, particularly noted for their original journalistic format, continue to impact audiences across the U.S. and Puerto Rico.