Marian Rivera Gràcia-Dantes (Tagalog: [ˌmaɾjɐn ɾɪˌbɛːɾɐ ˈdantɛs]; born 12 August 1984) is a Filipino model, actress, singer, host, and dancer best known for her portrayals of leading heroines and her performances in romantic dramas films and television series. Widely regarded in the entertainment industry as the "Primetime Queen" and the "Queen of Philippine Movies of Her Generation" for her sustained commercial success and contributions to Philippine cinema, Rivera's accolades include three FAMAS Awards, five PMPC Star Awards for Television, a PMPC Star Awards for Movies, two PAFTA Awards ten Box Office Entertainment Awards, and a Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival Award, including nominations from Asian Television Awards, Luna Awards and Metro Manila Film Festival. In 2020, Forbes Asia named her one of the most influential Filipino celebrities in the Asia-Pacific.
Rivera initially began as a commercial model and ventured into acting in the mid-2000s. In 2005, she made her film debut in Enteng Kabisote 2: Okay Ka, Fairy Ko... The Legend Continues!. The film earned her a nomination for New Movie Actress of the Year at the 2006 Star Awards for Movies. She started playing minor and supporting roles in various projects and rose to stardom in the remake Marimar (2007). She gained wider recognition for her leading roles in television shows such as Dyesebel (2008), Darna (2009), Endless Love (2010), Amaya (2011) and Temptation of Wife (2012). She also top-billed the remake of Super Inday and the Golden Bibe (2010), earning her a nomination for Best Actress at the Metro Manila Film Festival. She has received three nominations for the FAMAS Award for Best Actress. Among her highest-grossing and most commercially successful films are One True Love (2008), Shake, Rattle & Roll X (2008), My Best Friend's Girlfriend (2008), You to Me Are Everything (2010), Temptation Island (2011), Ang Panday 2 (2011), Kung Fu Divas (2013), My Big Bossing's Adventures (2014), and Rewind (2023). As a leading actress, her films have collectively grossed more than ₱1.9 billion at the Philippine box office, establishing her as one of the highest-grossing Filipino box office stars of all time.
Appointed by the Congress of the Philippines as an honorary ambassador for women and children with disabilities, Rivera is also a volunteer for numerous charitable institutions. She is the most-followed Filipino celebrity on Facebook. Preview magazine named her one of the most influential Filipino personalities in 2022. She was the first Filipina to be inducted into the FHM Philippines' Hall of Fame for being the "sexiest woman" in the country for three cumulative years (2008, 2013, and 2014). She was also chosen as one of the members of the selection committee at the Miss Universe 2021 pageant. As a recording artist, Rivera has released two albums: Marian Rivera Dance Hits (2008) and Retro Crazy (2009), receiving Platinum and Gold certifications from the Philippine Association of the Record Industry. She currently hosts the drama anthology series Tadhana (2017–present).
Early life and education
Marian Rivera Gràcia was born in Madrid, Spain to Francisco Javier Gràcia Alonso, a Spaniard, and Amalia Rivera, a native Tagalog from Cavite. Her parents married and eventually divorced when she was three years old, after which her mother brought her to the Philippines where she grew up. However, her mother had to continue with work commitments abroad and Rivera was sent to her maternal grandmother, Francisca Rivera, in Maragondon, Cavite.
Rivera pursued her elementary and high school education at Saint Francis of Assisi College, and obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree from the De La Salle University – Dasmariñas. She had completed her practicum at the National Center for Mental Health in Mandaluyong, dispensing medication alongside conducting examination and evaluations of patients.
Career
2004–2008: Career beginnings
Marian Rivera pursued ramp modelling in her elementary schooling years then later as TV commercial model for SkinWhite Lotion, Sky Flakes Biscuits, and other labels. These commercial appearances led TAPE Inc. executive producer Antonio Tuviera commissioned her for roles in the afternoon TV soap operas Kung Mamahalin Mo Lang Ako, Agawin Mo Man ang Lahat, and Pinakamamahal. Rivera made her first supporting role film appearance through OctoArts' Enteng Kabisote 2: Okay Ka Fairy Ko: The Legend Continues in 2005 as the fairy Alyssa. In 2006, she signed a contract with Regal Entertainment that featured her debut in the horror film Pamahiin.
In February 2007, GMA Network cast her for motherly roles; first in the Filipino-Malaysian TV drama series Muli. and lastly in the fantasy TV series, Super Twins as the protagonist twins' mother, and villain on later episodes that concluded on 1 June 2007.
In June 2007, Rivera auditioned for and won the lead role in GMA Network's adaptation of the popular Mexican series MariMar (based on Televisa's the 1994 Mexican telenovela of the same title). Opposite to Dingdong Dantes, the show became the highest-rated prime time drama show on Philippine television at that time and launched Rivera to stardom.
She was acknowledged as a Phenomenal TV Star in the 38th Box-Office Entertainment Awards by the Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Scholarship Foundation, Inc. in 2008. That year she won an award for her work in the show, as well as several product endorsements. She was named the country's sexiest woman by FHM Magazine, and was also included in the "hottest" list of other magazines like Maxim and Uno.
That same year, she appeared in two films, Desperadas and Bahay Kubo, both Metro Manila Film Festival entries.In 2008, Rivera played the title role in Dyesebel, which aired on 28 April 2008, the famous Philippine mermaid character acted by many famous Filipinos actresses from as early as 1970. The series is another team-up with Dantes. The year marked Rivera's first lead role opposite Richard Gutierrez in My Bestfriend's Girlfriend. In the same year, Dantes and Rivera debuted in One True Love, directed by Mac Alejandre. She also appeared in two Metro Manila Film Festival entries such as Shake, Rattle & Roll X, an omnibus horror trilogy in which she played "Nieves, The Engkanto Slayer", and Desperadas 2, a sequel of the 2007 film of the same with Rufa Mae Quinto, Iza Calzado, Ruffa Gutierrez, and Ogie Alcasid. She was among the third batch of stars honored in the Eastwood City Walk of Fame located in Eastwood City, Libis, Quezon City in 2008.
Rivera released her first dance music album entitled Marian Rivera Dance Hits under Universal Records in 2008. It was a compilation of 12 songs, danced and choreographed by Rivera. The album certified a 2× Platinum Record Award by the Philippine Association of the Record Industry (PARI).
2009–2014: Rise to fame
In 2009, she released her first single, "Sabay Sabay Tayo" under her second album Retro Crazy. The single and the album both received a Gold Award and later on a Platinum Record Award from PARI.
In February 2009, she appeared in Ang Babaeng Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang, an adaptation of Carlo J. Caparas' graphic novel. It was her third team-up with Dingdong Dantes. Later that year, she was paired with Dennis Trillo in an adaptation of the famous historical fiction heroine created by Mars Ravelo, Darna. She played Narda, who turns into superheroine Darna, after swallowing a magical stone. Nestor Torre of Philippine Daily Inquirer described the series as "loud and livid", praising Rivera's acting. Trillo and Rivera later teamed up for the second time on the horror-suspense film Tarot produced by Regal Entertainment.
She appeared on her first sitcom, Show Me Da Manny, alongside Manny Pacquiao. According to The Philippine Star, Rivera showed a natural comic skill.
Rivera, starred in the Philippine adaptation of Endless Love, a Korean series, aired on GMA Network. Rivera reunited with Dantes in You to…