From Mónica Pretelini to Tania Ruiz: The Public and Private Romances of Enrique Peña Nieto

Enrique Peña Nieto, the former President of Mexico, has lived much of his romantic life in the public eye, marked by significant relationships that intertwined with his political career. His journey through love has included two marriages, children from various partners, and high-profile relationships that captivated public attention.

His first significant public relationship was with Mónica Pretelini Sáenz. They were married in 1993 and had three children together: Paulina, Alejandro, and Nicole. Mónica played a supportive role during Peña Nieto's early political career, including his campaign for governorship of the State of Mexico. Their marriage lasted for 14 years until her untimely death in January 2007 at the age of 44, reportedly due to an epileptic episode.

During his marriage to Mónica Pretelini, Peña Nieto had a relationship with Maritza Díaz Hernández in 2005. This relationship resulted in a child, Diego, born out of wedlock. The existence of this child became publicly known later and was described as a "persistent scandal" that garnered media attention, particularly during his presidential campaign.

Following Pretelini's death, Peña Nieto began a high-profile relationship with Angélica Rivera, a renowned Mexican telenovela star. Their romance started in 2008, and it was widely reported that Rivera was initially hired to help publicize his political campaign for the State of Mexico. Their union quickly became a subject of intense public interest, often dubbed a "fairytale" by the media.

Peña Nieto and Rivera married on November 27, 2010, in a widely publicized ceremony. Her celebrity status significantly enhanced his public image, especially as he prepared for his presidential bid. Upon his election in 2012, Angélica Rivera became the First Lady of Mexico, a role she held throughout his six-year term.

Their marriage, however, faced scrutiny, with some critics suggesting it was a "marketing strategy" to boost Peña Nieto's political appeal. A notable controversy arose in 2014 when reports surfaced about Rivera living in a multimillion-dollar home owned by a contractor who had received lucrative government contracts. Rivera maintained she was legitimately purchasing the property with her acting earnings and later announced she would sell her stake to quell the controversy.

Despite public appearances, rumors of marital strain intensified towards the end of Peña Nieto's presidency. Angélica Rivera publicly announced her divorce from Enrique Peña Nieto in February 2019, just two months after his presidential term concluded. In a social media post, Rivera expressed deep regret over the "painful situation" and stated her focus was on her children and recovering her professional career.

Shortly after his separation from Angélica Rivera, Peña Nieto began dating Mexican model Tania Ruiz Eichelmann. Their relationship became public in February 2019, weeks after his divorce announcement. The couple was frequently seen together, including living in Madrid for a period, indicating a serious commitment. However, their relationship concluded, with Tania Ruiz confirming their breakup in January 2023.

As of recent reports, Enrique Peña Nieto is currently single, marking a new chapter in his romantic life after a series of high-profile relationships that spanned decades and often intersected with his prominent political career.