September 5, 2024
CHCI TO CELEBRATE TALK SHOW SWEETHEARTS EL GORDO Y LA FLACA, RAÚL DE MOLINA AND LILI ESTEFAN, AT 47TH ANNUAL AWARDS GALA
Washington, D.C. – September 5, 2024 – The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute is proud to recognize the 2024 Chair’s Award honorees, Raúl “El Gordo” De Molina and Lili “La Flaca” Estefan — Latin America’s favorite talk show sweethearts.
The Chair’s Award is presented each year to individuals who have dedicated their public or private careers to improving the lives of Hispanic Americans. The honorees are chosen wholly at the Chair’s discretion.
“Both Raúl De Molina and Lili Estefan have captivated the hearts of Hispanic Americans for decades, bringing humor, levity and passion to the Emmy-Award winning El Gordo y La Flaca, and I look forward to celebrating their tremendous impact during this year’s Awards Gala,” said CHCI Chairman, Rep. Adriano Espaillat. “As iconic symbols of what América Latina talent is, Raúl and Lili Estefan have made TV programming more special for millions of American viewers and we are delighted to recognize their extraordinary success and accomplishments.”
“El Gordo y La Flaca is a cultural phenomenon and part of the Latin American entertainment zeitgeist,” said Marco A. Davis, CHCI President and CEO. “Raúl and Lili’s storied careers are both extraordinary journeys of two hard-working and tenacious Cuban Americans who have achieved the American Dream and I take great pleasure in celebrating their contributions during the Annual Awards Gala.”
“I am deeply honored to receive the Medallion Award at this year’s Gala as the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s commitment to providing young Latinos the resources they need to thrive has long been an inspiration for me,” shared Raúl de Molina co-host of Univision’s El Gordo y La Flaca. “Through 26 years of being on air millions of families have virtually welcomed us into their homes and allowed us to serve as sources of entertainment and joy – this award is not just for us but for all the amazing people who have granted us the privilege to do what we do. I am thankful for the recognition and look forward to all that is to come.”
“Thank you to CHCI Chair, Rep. Adriano Espaillat for this incredible award,” said Lili Estefan. “Love, laughter and humor are ingrained in our culture, and it is a real privilege to do what I love while also touching the hearts of so many Americans who sit down every day to watch El Gordo y La Flaca.”
The CHCI Chair’s award comes as both Raúl and Lili have been selected to receive stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame by the Walk of Fame Selection Panel of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.
The 2024 CHCI Chair’s Medallion Award will be awarded to Raúl De Molina
Raúl De Molina is the three-time Emmy award-winning co-host of Univision Network’s #1 rated entertainment show, El Gordo y La Flaca, celebrating over 25 years of entertaining audiences around the globe. During his time at Univision, De Molina has helped expand El Gordo y La Flaca from a small, niche program to a wide-reaching, mainstream talk show, spanning multiple demographics and garnering a large, devoted fan base.
De Molina was named one of People en Español’s most influential Hispanics in the U.S. for his unique ability to transcend audiences and appeal to the non-Hispanic U.S. market. His position at the nexus of several demographics provides him key insights on how to reach multiple generations outside of the Hispanic community. In 2015, El Gordo y La Flaca won Univision its first Daytime Emmy Award.
Famous for his energetic and colorful reporting style, De Molina covers major news event for Univision, including their annual New Year’s Eve countdown in Times Square. A compelling and dynamic reporter, De Molina has been dispatched around the world covering a multitude of international events from the Royal Wedding to the World Cup and Latin Grammys.
In addition to his successful career in television, De Molina is well-known for his distinguished style, gastronomy and world travels. A member of Art Basel’s host committee, he throws an annual Art Basel kickoff party each year, attracting the likes of A-listers and influencers. Previously, De Molina worked for the Associated Press and National Enquirer as a professional photographer during the 1980s. His work has been featured in various national and international publications including Time, Life, Newsweek, and Paris Match, among others, and in 2019, De Molina showcased a rare collection of photos he took in 1980’s Miami during his annual Art Basel event of luminaries including Princess Diana, Muhammad Ali and Sophia Loren.
De Molina lives in Miami with his wife.
The 2024 CHCI Chair’s Medallion Award will be awarded to Lili Estefan
Lili Estefan, also known as “La Flaca,” has won the hearts of millions of viewers with her spunky personality and signature smile as the co-host of Univision Network’s highly rated program, “El Gordo y la Flaca.”
Since its launch in 1998, “El Gordo y la Flaca” has enjoyed tremendous success, rapidly becoming the leading source of entertainment news for Hispanic America and propelled Estefan to superstar status.
Lili has appeared in Red Table Talk: The Estefans, the 2019 film “Zombieland: Double Tap” and the 2000 TV movie “Salud! A Guide to Good Health for Latinos,” and she voiced Gladys Glypto in the 2016 short film “Ice Age: The Great Egg-Scapade.
Among much well deserved recognition, in 2018 Lili Estefan won her first Daytime Emmy after being nominated several times for Outstanding Daytime Talent in Spanish language programming. During her historic 30th year career anniversary, she was awarded one of NY Moves Magazine’s 2016 Most Powerful Women in television, a first for an entertainment journalist in Spanish television. Lili Estefan has also received her own star in Las Vegas’ “Walk of Stars” and in the famous “El Paseo de las Luminarias,” Mexico’s equivalent of the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
As an active philanthropist, Estefan is involved with many organizations such as St. Jude, Amigos for Kids, American Cancer Society, Latin Grammys in the Schools, The March of Dimes, Women’s Cancer League, National Alliance for Autism Research, Latina/Salud!, Lo Mejor Para Su Bebé (The Best for Your Baby), and Voices for Children. In 2010, she became a spokesperson for the nationwide campaign to promote influenza vaccinations in the Hispanic community. Most recently, President Barack Obama asked Estefan to participate in a movement for the support of immigration that involved some of the most influential Latino artists and actors, including Emilio Estefan, Eva Longoria and Rosario Dawson, among others.
Recently, Lili Estefan and her co-host Raúl De Molina have been selected to receive stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame by the Walk of Fame Selection Panel of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.
She is the proud mother of two children, son Lorenzo 24, and daughter Lina Teresa Luaces 22.
Sponsorship opportunities are available for the 47th Annual CHCI Awards Gala and the 2024 Leadership Conference. Please email development@chci.org for more information.
Onsite press credentials and interview requests with select honorees, musical talent, participants, and organizational leadership may be available upon request.
47th Annual CHCI Awards Gala Host Sponsor
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ABOUT CHCI
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) is the premier Hispanic nonprofit and nonpartisan 501(c)(3) organization in the country dedicated to developing the next generation of Latino leaders®. CHCI provides leadership, public service, and policy experiences to outstanding Latino/a/x students and young professionals, and convenes Members of Congress, other public officials, corporate executives, nonprofit advocates, and thought leaders to discuss issues facing the nation and the Hispanic community. Visit CHCI.org and follow us @CHCI on social media.