Hugo López-Gatell Ramírez, the prominent Mexican epidemiologist and public health official, has seen his personal life, particularly his romantic relationships, draw significant public interest alongside his impactful career. His romantic journey has spanned decades, marked by deep academic connections and recent public partnerships, reflecting different phases of his life and public prominence.
His earliest publicly known significant relationship was with Arantxa Colchero Aragones, a distinguished economist and public health researcher. Their connection began during their university years at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). Their academic pursuits were intertwined with their personal lives, notably highlighted by mutual dedications in their respective theses. In July 1996, Colchero dedicated her economics thesis to Hugo, referring to him as "my companion, for sharing this work with such enthusiasm." López-Gatell reciprocated this gesture in 2001, dedicating his master's thesis in medical sciences to her with the words, "To you Arantxa, one more step together."
Their relationship with Arantxa Colchero endured for over two decades, a period during which they also collaborated professionally on various public health initiatives. The couple welcomed a son, Francesc, who was born around 2011 or 2012. Their long-standing union was largely private until López-Gatell's increased public visibility during the COVID-19 pandemic. In April 2020, Arantxa Colchero publicly confirmed their separation, stating that they had been living apart for approximately a year prior, indicating their split occurred around April 2019. The divorce was later confirmed, marking the end of a significant chapter in his life.
Following his separation, López-Gatell's romantic life once again became a subject of public attention. In October 2020, reports surfaced of his new relationship with Rebeca Peralta Mariñelarena, a public official with a background in Latin American studies. The couple was first publicly seen together dining in a restaurant in Mexico City, sparking widespread interest. Their relationship continued to develop publicly, with them being photographed vacationing together in Zipolite, Oaxaca, in January 2021.
The relationship with Rebeca Peralta reached a new milestone with the birth of their daughter in January 2022. This new addition to his family brought further public attention to his personal life. Most recently, Hugo López-Gatell and Rebeca Peralta formalized their union, marrying on August 3, 2024. Their wedding was reported to be an intimate affair, reflecting a more private approach to their current marital status despite their public profiles. This marriage signifies a new phase in López-Gatell's romantic journey, moving from a long-term academic partnership to a new family life under the public eye.