TV presenter Patricia Fuenmayor died on Monday June 9 at the age of 51 after a long battle with cancer. The news was announced on Instagram by Univision’s Venezuelan news outlet, Despierta América for whom she was the New York correstpondent. “We deeply regret the passing of Patricia Fuenmayor, our colleague and correspondent in New York,” the post read. “May she rest in peace.”
The news of her cancer battle was revealed by another host on the channel Raúl Gonzálezas he paid tribute on his show on the day of her death. “This is news we don’t like to share. The Despierta América family has suffered a great loss. Our friend and colleague Patricia Fuenmayor passed away early this morning after a tough battle with cancer. A passionate, professional woman, always dedicated to her reporting. Thank you, Patricia, for your light, your dedication, and your smile. We will always remember you,” he told viewers.
Other presenters also rushed to pay tribute. Anchor Elyangelica Gonzalez wrote on Instagram: “What a great pain Patricia! May God receive you in his holy glory, give strength to your family and comfort your beloved children. The sky today is much prettier with your arrival.”
Astrid Rivera echoed this sentiment penning: “Good colleague, tremendous journalist, and excellent woman and mother. Rest in Peace beautiful. We will miss you as a team work and the world will miss a beautiful woman like you.”
Angie Perez commented: “Beautiful friend. Rest in the peace of the Lord that passes all understanding. I pray for your children and your husband: that it is Christ filling that void in their hearts that leaves your departure. I’m so sorry.”
Born in Maracaibo, Patricia began her career in pageants. She was a finalist in the 1997 Miss Venezuela competition and was crowned Miss South America in 1998.
Her media career began as a weather presenter on Venevisión before branching into radio, sports, and entertainment.
Married to surgeon Jorge Safar Perez her life took a dramatic turn when he was kidnapped in Venezuela, which forced the family into exile. They resettled in the United States, where she rebuilt her career from the ground up.
She joined Univision 41 in New York as a correspondent for Edición Digital, eventually becoming a key member of Despierta América, where she reported on local news and community stories that resonated with the city’s Latino population.
She is survived by her husband and two children.
