María Antonieta Collins Biography: A Legendary Mexican Journalist

María Antonieta Collins: Biography of a Renowned Journalist & TV Host

María Antonieta Collins Flores is a highly respected Mexican journalist, television host, and best-selling author.

Throughout her extensive career, she has earned numerous accolades, including four Emmy Awards and the Edward Murrow Award, for her impactful reporting and hosting.

Early Career and Rise to Prominence:

Collins began her journalism journey in her native Mexico as a reporter for “Televisa 24 horas” in 1974.

Her talent quickly became evident, and in 1979, Televisa sent her as their first correspondent to California.

There, she covered a wide range of general assignments, including Major League Baseball with the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers, until 1986.

Univision and Telemundo:

Later in 1986, Collins transitioned to Spanish International Network (SIN), which later became Univision.

Over 18 years at Univision, she became a prominent figure known for her work as a Mexico Correspondent, Texas Correspondent, and International Correspondent.

In 1993, she took on the role of weekend anchor for Noticiero Univision, stepping in for Jorge Ramos and María Elena Salinas.

In 2000, she was named Senior Correspondent for the news magazine “Aquí y Ahora,” a position she held alongside her weekend anchoring duties until she left Univision in August 2005.

Following her tenure at Univision, Collins moved to Telemundo, where she hosted the morning show “Cada Día.”

She continued to make her mark on Spanish-language television, known for her ability to connect with audiences on a deeply personal level, often sharing her own experiences to foster empathy and understanding.

Author and Advocate:

Beyond her television career, María Antonieta Collins is a prolific author, having published several best-selling books. Her works often delve into personal and social issues.

For example, her 2003 book, Cuando el monstruo despierta, bravely addressed domestic violence, a topic close to her heart as her own daughter had been a victim.

She also co-authored Juanita Castro’s autobiography, My brothers Fidel and Raúl, the secret story, published in 2009.

Collins continues to be an active journalist, and as of 2024, she celebrated 50 years in her profession.

She is known for her dedication to human interest stories and her extensive coverage of the Vatican.

She also writes a weekly editorial column for “El Sol de Mexico” network, which is distributed across sixty newspapers in Mexico. Additionally, she is an animal rights activist and a classical piano player.

Age:

María Antonieta Collins was born May 12, 1952, in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz, Mexico, which makes her 73 years old. Her zodiac sign is Taurus. She is of multiracial ethnicity and her nationality is Mexican.

Parents and Siblings:

María Antonieta Collins was born on May 12, 1952, in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz, Mexico. She grew up in a family that valued education and hard work.

Her mother, María Antonieta Collins Flores, was a journalist and author, and her father’s identity and profession are not widely known.

Her parents divorced when she was young, and her mother later remarried Fabio Fajardo, a naval architect, who became a significant figure in her life.

María Antonieta has an older sister, but her name and age are not publicly known.

The family moved to Mexico City when she was young, and later to the United States when she was in her early teens. She has dual Mexican and American citizenship and is fluent in both English and Spanish.

Husband:

María Antonieta Collins has had two significant marriages in her life:

First Marriage: Javier Pérez

María Antonieta’s first husband was Javier Pérez, a fellow journalist. Together, they had one daughter, Antonietta Collins.

Their marriage eventually ended in divorce, but it was during this time that María Antonieta began building her career in journalism.

Second Marriage: Fabio Fajardo

After her divorce from Javier Pérez, María Antonieta married Fabio Fajardo, a naval architect. Fabio became a significant figure in her life, providing stability and support.

Unfortunately, Fabio passed away from kidney cancer in 2006, which was a difficult time for María Antonieta and her family.

Children

María Antonieta has one daughter, Antonietta Collins, who has followed in her mother’s footsteps and become a successful journalist.

Antonietta is known for her work at ESPN and has made a name for herself in sports journalism.

Growing up with a mother who is an award-winning journalist has undoubtedly influenced Antonietta’s career path.

Height, Weight, Measurements:

María Antonieta Collins has a height of 5 feet 8 inches (approximately 173 cm) and weighs around 54 kg (approximately 119 lbs). Her body measurements are 32-25-34 inches (approximately 81-63-86 cm).

Career and Background:

María Antonieta Collins is a renowned journalist, television host, and author. She started her career in journalism in 1974 as a reporter for Televisa in Mexico.

Over the years, she became a prominent figure in Spanish-language television, working for Univision and Telemundo.

She has covered significant global events and authored several books on diverse topics, including self-help and autobiographical works.

Early Career at Televisa

María Antonieta began her journalism career in 1974, working as a reporter for Televisa 24 horas.

She quickly gained recognition for her work on Noticiero con Jacobo Zabludovsky, one of the most respected news programs in Mexico.

Her early assignments included covering national and international news, which helped her build a solid foundation in journalism.

Correspondent in California

In 1979, María Antonieta was sent by Televisa as their first correspondent in California. This was a groundbreaking move, as it positioned her at the forefront of international news reporting.

In California, she covered a wide range of general assignments, from local news to significant global events.

She also gained recognition for her coverage of Major League Baseball, specifically the San Diego Padres and the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Joining Univision

In 1986, María Antonieta moved to the Spanish International Network (SIN), which later became Univision. During her 18 years with Univision, she held several key positions.

She served as the Mexico Correspondent, Texas Correspondent, and International Correspondent.

These roles allowed her to cover some of the most important news stories of the time, providing in-depth reports and analysis.

Role at Telemundo

After her successful tenure at Univision, María Antonieta joined Telemundo. She became the host of the morning show Cada Dia, where she captivated audiences with her insightful interviews and engaging presentation style.

In 1993, she was appointed as the weekend anchor of Noticiero Univision, succeeding María Celeste Arrarás. In this role, she covered major news events alongside Jorge Ramos and María Elena Salinas.

Senior Correspondent at Aquí y Ahora

In 2000, María Antonieta was named Senior Correspondent for the news magazine Aquí y Ahora, a role she held until 2005.

During her time with Aquí y Ahora, she delivered in-depth investigative reports and human-interest stories that resonated with viewers.

Her work on the program solidified her reputation as a seasoned journalist dedicated to uncovering the truth and telling impactful stories.

Accomplished Author

In addition to her work in journalism, María Antonieta is a prolific author. She has written several best-selling books, addressing a variety of topics from personal experiences to broader social issues. Some of her notable works include:

• Dietas y Recetas de María Antonieta (2001)

• ¿Quién dijo que no se puede? (2002)

• Cuando el monstruo despierta (2003)

• En el nombre de comprar, firmar…y no llorar (2004)

• Cómo lidiar con los ex hombres, mujeres, y fantasmas del pasado (2006)

• “Dijiste que me querías”: cómo sobrellevar lo impensable (2007)

• Porque quiero, porque puedo y porque me da la gana (2009)

Her books have been well-received and have contributed to her reputation as a thoughtful and influential author.

Here are some of María Antonieta Collins’s most notable reports, numbered:

• Coverage of Major League Baseball

  • As Televisa’s first correspondent in California, María Antonieta covered Major League Baseball, focusing on teams like the San Diego Padres and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Her insightful reporting on baseball helped her gain recognition and establish herself as a versatile journalist.

• International Correspondent for Univision

  • During her time at Univision, María Antonieta served as an International Correspondent, covering major global events and stories. Her reports often provided in-depth analysis and context, making complex international issues more accessible to viewers.

• Vatican Coverage

  • María Antonieta has specialized in issues related to the Vatican and has managed to interview three Popes: John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis. Her interviews with these religious leaders have been widely acclaimed for their depth and insight.

• Domestic Violence Awareness

  • One of María Antonieta’s most impactful reports was on domestic violence, inspired by her daughter Antonietta’s experience. She wrote a book titled Cuando el monstruo despierta (2003), which addresses the issue of domestic violence and has been praised for its emotional depth and advocacy.

• Autobiography of Juanita Castro

  • In 1999, María Antonieta convinced her friend Juanita Castro, the younger sister of Fidel and Raúl Castro, to co-write and publish her autobiography in Spanish. The book, titled My Brothers Fidel and Raúl: The Secret Story, was published in 2009 and provided a unique perspective on the Castro family.

• Emmy and Edward Murrow Award-Winning Reports

  • María Antonieta has won multiple Emmy Awards and the prestigious Edward Murrow Award for her outstanding contributions to journalism. Her reports have consistently been recognized for their excellence and impact.

• Weekly Editorial Column

  • María Antonieta writes a weekly editorial column for El Sol de México, a network of sixty newspapers in Mexico. Her columns cover a wide range of topics, reflecting her deep understanding of social issues and current events.

Net Worth and Salary:

María Antonieta Collins’s net worth is estimated to be around $50 million. This substantial wealth is attributed to her extensive career in journalism, her successful authorship of several best-selling books, and her various media engagements over the years.

While specific details about her annual salary are not publicly available, it is known that her career has been highly lucrative, contributing significantly to her net worth.

Is María Antonieta Collins Married?

María Antonieta Collins is currently not married. She was previously married to Javier Pérez, but they divorced, and later she was married to Fabio Fajardo, who passed away in 2006.

How Old Is María Antonieta Collins?

María Antonieta Collins was born on May 12, 1952, which makes her 73 years old as of now.

Where Is María Antonieta Collins Working?

María Antonieta Collins is currently working as a Senior Correspondent for Noticias Univisión. She continues to cover significant global events and stories, with a particular focus on the Vatican.

María Antonieta has been with Noticias Univisión for many years and is known for her in-depth reporting and insightful analysis.

Additionally, she writes a weekly editorial column for El Sol de México, a network of sixty newspapers in Mexico. Her columns also cover a wide range of topics, reflecting her deep understanding of social issues and current events.

María Antonieta Collins is active on social media. She maintains a presence on platforms like Twitter and Instagram.

Additionally, her social media accounts are a way for her to connect with her audience, share updates, and engage with her followers.