Table / Sponsorship Request Access
For additonal inforamtion send an email to pwgala2024@movespowerwoemn.com
or to request code over the phone 646.489.1633
Check Spam for code
2016 Honoree
Lili Estefan
Host, Univision
“I believe education is the key to advance future generations; it resolves a lot of society’s problems, and not just for women. The better a person’s educational base, the higher a person’s earning potential is, and also the better equipped they are to solve life’s puzzles. For me, that education begins at home. Having a strong family base helps form a strong individual capable of turning adversity into success.”
What socio-political women’s issue do you care about the most? Do you feel that women are typically presented fairly in the media? Why or why not?
I believe education is the key to advance future generations, it resolves a lot of society’s problems, and not just for women. The better a person’s educational base, the higher a person’s earning potential is, and also the better equipped they are to solve life’s puzzles. For me, that education begins at home. Having a strong family base helps form a strong individual capable of turning adversity into success.
We’ve come a long way, but there’s still room for improvement. The way women are presented in the media is a reflection of society. As society has evolved, we see more examples of strong, powerful women that we are proud to have as examples for our daughters. Personally, I feel a tremendous responsibility being on the camera every day. Social media has helped me to develop an intimate relationship with my audience. I want girls out there to see that behind the fashionable “La Flaca” there is a hard working immigrant, a hands-on mom, and a loyal friend.
What specific aspect of women’s rights in the U.S. could we change to set an example to the world? What will it take (apart from time) for women to be viewed as equal to men?
Women work the same jobs as men, and, in most cases, they need to work twice as hard to earn the positions of their male counterparts; and, yet, when they reach their goal, they get paid 79% fraction of what their male counterparts get paid. It’s time for women to be paid as equals. It’s going to take speaking up and demanding we be paid what we deserve. We can’t be silent anymore, we can’t be afraid of asking for what we deserve.
Whatever profession you choose, do men see women as either a female rival with independence and strength, or someone inexperienced that needs to be managed, never as an equal? How do you show your male colleagues that you are an equal without stepping on their toes?
Throughout my 30-year career of 30 years in TV, I have shown my counterparts that women are powerful, resilient, resourceful, while still being beautiful and loving. I’ve been hosting Univision’s Network’s popular and entertainment and Emmy award winning day time entertainment show, El Gordo y la Flaca, for over 18 years with Raul de Molina, my male co-host. I never allowed the show producers to position my role as co-host to be anything less than equal to Raul’s role as co-host. I’m blessed to have a lot of energy. I work very hard to always be prepared. Sometimes that means burning the candles at both ends because I also love my role as a mother.
Do you feel the extreme left and right wings of U.S. politics are destroying the United in United States, or is it just healthy debate? Should the financing of political campaigns be the controlled by an independent authority?
I’m proud to live in a country where debate is part of our constitutional rights. We must find common ground in order to work together for the good of our country. Debates should be done with respect–nothing is gained by insulting and alienating the people you work with.
What do you now know about yourself that you wish you knew ten/fifteen/twenty years ago? Do today’s young people face a bigger challenge than you did?
What advice is she giving her daughter that she wishes she had known?
What advice is she giving her daughter that she wishes she had known?
I have learned many lessons early in life, the most important one remains that the key to success is choosing to be happy. Finding the positive side to any situation and making the best of it. This is something I work very hard at and try to pass to my audience and fans every day. When I was young, I thought that the people with the most talent got the furthest in life–now I know it is the people with the best attitude. I am living proof that by working hard, being passionate, and fighting for what we really want we can accomplish more than we believe. Hard work equals success at whatever you put your mind to.
Do you feel that religion is on the decline in the Western World?
Will it have an effect on U.S. society? If so, will it be good or bad?
Will it have an effect on U.S. society? If so, will it be good or bad?
I’m a spiritual woman and every day I instill this value in my children. Spiritual values–such as empathy, kindness, and compassion–which I think this world is in desperate need of.
Can you tell us about one of the biggest challenges in your life that you
think helped you become the person you are today? What was your best decision to
date? Worst decision?
think helped you become the person you are today? What was your best decision to
date? Worst decision?
Some of the most successful people I know are the ones that who have had to face the most adversity. I lost my mom at an early age and I had to take on many responsibilities, I immigrated to the U.S. from Cuba when I was 14 and had to adapt quickly to a new country and a different language. I choose to look at adversity as an opportunity to succeed. The secret of my success is to live my life with God, determination, and discipline.
I’m blessed having a fantastic support system of family, friends, and mentors. The best decision still remains: to keep my family my #1 priority and to choose happiness above all.
Who inspires you the most? If you could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, who would it be and why?
Michael Gorbachev. I was in Cuba when the Communist party was dissolved and I remember watching him on a small TV screening thinking to myself, “what a big heart this man has.”
If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be?
If I was a superhero, I would like to have the power to heal.
Favorite: Book/writer? Song/singer? Movie/actor? Cuisine/dish?
Favorite Book: The Secret. It changed my life because it made me understand that my successes have been linked to specific actions I made, such as my innate ability to always give and then give some more.
Favorite song/singer: Gloria Estefan Conga.
Favorite Movie: Pretty woman, “It’s from my era.”
Movie Actor: Julia Roberts.
Cuisine: Cuban food!
