María Susana Giménez Aubert (born 29 January 1944), known as Susana Giménez (Spanish pronunciation:[suˈsanaxiˈmenes]), is an Argentine TV host,[1] actress, model and businesswoman. In 2012, she was considered the biggest celebrity in Argentine television by the media firm that publishes her eponymous magazine.[2][3][4]
She is the host of Susana Giménez, a highly rated television variety show in Argentina, similar in format to those of Raffaella Carrà (in Italy and Spain) and Oprah Winfrey (in United States). In 1997, she was awarded with the Golden Martín Fierro Award, and in 2002 won the INTE Award for TV Hostess of the Year.[5]
Since 2020, she lives in Uruguay.[6]
Early life
Giménez was the daughter of María Luisa Sanders,[7] of Irish descent, and Augusto Giménez Aubert, of Spanish descent. She had a hard childhood, tainted by her parents' separation. She studied in Quilmes, and graduated from La Anunciata Collegiate[8] as a primary school teacher, a profession she never practised. Before becoming famous, for a couple of years Giménez worked as an executive secretary for a large factory.
Career
At 19 years old, she became a model, and made her name in a TV commercial for Cadum, a brand of French soap. Most of her subsequent film career was in adult-oriented comedies, acting opposite Alberto Olmedo, Jorge Porcel, and fellow vedetteMoria Casán. Giménez has acted in over 30 films, including the cult filmLa Mary,[9] and 10 plays. In 2008, Giménez launched her own magazine called Susana,[10] published by La Nación.[4] She is featured in the cover of every issue. She had her own fashion doll,[11] and has endorsed two fragrances.[12]
Personal life
In 1962, aged 18, she married businessman Mario Sarabayrouse.[13] A year later she gave birth to her only daughter, Mercedes Sarabayrouse Giménez.
In 1974 she starred in La Mary, a film directed by Daniel Tinayre, where she met boxer Carlos Monzón, with whom she started a relationship that lasted two years. For 9 years she was in a relationship with actor Ricardo Darín, who was thirteen years younger. They ended up on good terms, remaining great friends.[14] Susana would invite the actor as the first guest every year on her show.
In 1988 she married Huberto Roviralta, a polo player, whom she divorced in 1998.[15] She had to pay ten million dollars to Roviralta as a divorce settlement.[16]
From her daughter Mercedes, Giménez has two grandchildren, Lucía and Manuel. In private her family and friends call her "Su", a practice that has been adopted by her fans.