Patricia Manterola, born Bertha Patricia Manterola Carrión on April 23, 1972, in Mexico City, Mexico, is a celebrated Mexican singer, actress, model, and fashion designer whose vibrant career spans over three decades. Known for her dynamic presence in the Latin entertainment industry, Manterola has built a legacy through her contributions to music, television, and film while also championing causes such as animal rights and social development. With an estimated net worth ranging from $1 million to $91 million, depending on sources, her financial success reflects her diverse talents and entrepreneurial spirit.
Biography and Early Life
Manterola was born to Jorge Manterola Fernández and María Dolores Carrión, the second of three children. Her brother, Jorge, is 11 months older, and her younger sister, Michelle, born on the same day as Patricia, is eight years her junior. Growing up in Mexico City, she attended prestigious schools, including Colegio Miguel Ángel and Franco-Español, for elementary education. She later studied at Colegio Oxford in Cuernavaca and Tecnológico de Monterrey for high school, graduating from Colegio Miguel Ángel. From a young age, Patricia showed a passion for the arts, studying dance, voice, and music. At eight, she landed a leading role in the musical Anita la Huerfanita (Annie). By then, she competed in the children’s music festival Juguemos a Cantar, reaching the finals with her brother Jorge.
Her entry into the entertainment world was catalyzed by her modeling career, which led to a pivotal meeting with producer Luis de Llano in 1989. Initially considered for the band Timbiriche, her talent secured her a spot in the pop group Garibaldi, known for modernizing traditional Mexican songs while wearing freestyle charro costumes. Garibaldi’s success took her across Latin America, the United States, and Europe, establishing her as a rising star.
Career Highlights
Manterola’s career took off with Garibaldi, but she launched her solo music career in 1994 with the album Hambre de Amor, featuring hits like “Quiero” and “Lo Juro.” Her transition to acting was seamless, with her debut in the 1993 Garibaldi comedy ¿Dónde Quedó La Bolita? Her breakout role came in 1995 as Lorena in the telenovela Acapulco, Cuerpo y Alma, which aired in over 60 countries and earned her the TV y Novelas Newcomer of the Year Award. She continued to shine in telenovelas like Gente Bien (1997) and Apuesta por un Amor (2004), where she played the spirited Julia Montaño, and Destilando Amor (2007), portraying Érika Robledo.
Her film credits include The City of Lost Souls (2000), Carman: The Champion (2001), The Singer (2008), and The Perfect Game (2009). Manterola also made her mark in Hollywood, appearing in the Dukes of Hazzard TV movie (2000) and guest-starring in Ugly Betty and La Fea Más Bella. Her bilingual skills, honed at UCLA, where she studied English, facilitated her crossover appeal. Additionally, she co-hosted Telemundo’s Siempre Niños and La Voz Kids and was a special guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Her 2002 album Que el Ritmo No Pare was a Latin American and European hit, with the title track becoming the official song of Spain’s Vuelta Ciclista.
Hometown and Personal Life
Mexico City remains Manterola’s hometown, where her cultural roots and early education shaped her artistic journey. A practicing vegan, she is an advocate for animal rights, famously stating on her website, “Hasta los animales más exóticos merecen vivir en libertad.” Her philanthropy extends to social causes, including donating 1,500 toys to children in Chapultepec in 2006 and supporting the Baja Una Estrella Foundation, which focuses on education and health in underserved Mexican communities.
Manterola’s personal life has also drawn attention. She married fellow Garibaldi member Javier Ortiz in 1999, but the couple divorced in 2005, issuing a joint statement requesting privacy. In 2010, she wed musician and producer Forrest Kolb in a private ceremony in Xcaret, Mexico, designed by her friend Nicolas Felizola. The couple has three children: Lucca Leo (born 2012) and twins Matteo and Alesso (born 2013). Manterola has expressed deep fulfillment in motherhood, emphasizing the importance of raising her children with emotional intelligence and healthy lifestyles.
Net Worth and Legacy
Estimates of Manterola’s net worth vary widely, with sources like Net Worth Inspector claiming $91 million, Net Worth Roll suggesting $54.3 million, and DatingCelebs estimating $100,000 to $1 million. These discrepancies likely stem from her multifaceted income streams, including music, acting, modeling, and fashion design, although exact figures remain unconfirmed. Her social media presence, with over 1.7 million Facebook followers, 1.2 million on Instagram, and 210,000 on Twitter, underscores her influence.
At 53, Patricia Manterola continues to captivate audiences with her talent and charisma. Her journey from a native of Mexico City to an international star reflects resilience, versatility, and a commitment to her craft and values, ensuring her enduring place in Latin entertainment.
