Coolest People to Know: Cristina Saralegui

(From www.cristinaonline.com) CRISTINA SARALEGUI is a seasoned journalist who is recognized as one of the most influential role models for today's Hispanic woman. She is strong-willed, successful, savvy and committed to making a difference. Time Magazine named her one of the "25 Most Influential Hispanics in America." CRISTINA sees her #1 role in media and in life as a motivator for women and a champion of a healthy, gracious and self-empowered lifestyle. In 1989, CRISTINA made her television debut as host and executive producer of "The Cristina Show" on the Univision Network. The program broke barriers and became a ratings hit. For 21 years, Cristina and "The Cristina Show" entertained, uplifted, and educated the Hispanic community in the U.S. and throughout the world. Cristina made it okay for Hispanics to openly discuss issues that had never been talked about on Spanish-language television; topics like sexual education for teens, AIDS awareness and education, as well as human rights issues facing the Hispanic community throughout the world. In the process, "The Cristina Show" became a platform, a voice for millions of Hispanics who may not have otherwise been heard, earning 12 Emmys and making Cristina a household name. In October of 2011, Cristina launched a new prime-time weekly television program "Pa'lante con Cristina" (Moving Forward with Cristina.) The program aired during the 2011- 2012 season on the Telemundo Network. In January of 2012, she launched "The Cristina Channel" a 24/7 radio network for Sirius XM. The channel (146) offers programming on a variety of subjects including news, entertainment, health, beauty, family and relationship guidance, travel, political issues and self-empowerment.. Her one hour radio show "Cristina Entre Amigos" (Cristina Between Friends) airs Monday thru Friday at 5P(EST). The Cuban-born media mogul is the first Spanish-language television personality to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Additionally, she has received numerous awards such as the Foundation of American Women in Radio and Television's "Gracie Allen Tribute Award," AmFAR's "National Community Service Award," The Simon Weisenthal Center's 2004 "International Distinguished Achievement Award" as well as The Hispanic Heritage Foundation's "Arts Award" and the Imagen Foundation's "Lifetime Achievement Award." She is the first Latina to be inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame, where she joins such television legends as Walter Cronkite, Barbara Walters and Johnny Carson. CRISTINA has also participated in many prestigious events such as the Museum of Television and Radio's William S. Paley TV Festival and The National Association of Television Producers and Executives (NATPE) Women in Communications panel. CRISTINA and Elizabeth Taylor together addressed The United Nations on the subject of AIDS research and education, one of the many causes for which she passionately works. She has been presented with proclamations and keys to cities around the world and is also listed in numerous biographical references including "Who's Who in Professional and Executive Women" and "The Top 100 Hispanic Influential People in the U.S." CRISTINA's life story was part of The Museum of Tolerance exhibit: Finding Our Families/Finding Ourselves, an effort by the museum to highlight our human similarities, especially as it pertains to the multi-racial rainbow of American immigrants.