If you’ve spent any time scrolling through Mexican tabloids or international news over the last decade, you know the name Enrique Peña Nieto. He was the face of Mexico’s "new" PRI, the telegenic leader who promised a modernized nation. But honestly? The fascination with his political reforms usually takes a backseat to the drama surrounding the women in his life. Whenever people search for Enrique Peña Nieto wife, they often expect a simple answer. They think there is just one "Gaviota" or a single story of tragedy.
The reality is way messier. And more human.
Right now, in 2026, Peña Nieto isn't actually married. He’s living a relatively quiet life in Spain, far from the National Palace in Mexico City. But the trail of marriages and relationships he left behind is basically a masterclass in how power, celebrity, and personal grief collide.
The Tragic First Chapter: Mónica Pretelini
Most people jump straight to the soap opera stars, but you can’t understand the man without knowing about Mónica Pretelini Sáenz. She was his first wife, the woman who was by his side as he climbed the greasy pole of State of Mexico politics. They married in 1993. By all accounts, she was the "traditional" political spouse—supportive, discreet, and the mother of his three oldest children: Paulina, Alejandro, and Nicole.
Then came 2007.
It was a shock. Mónica died suddenly from an epileptic seizure that led to respiratory failure. She was only 44. At the time, Peña Nieto was the Governor of the State of Mexico and already being groomed for the presidency. Her death sparked a wave of sympathy, but it also left him as a widower with three young kids in the middle of a high-stakes political ascent.
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The "Gaviota" Era: Angélica Rivera
This is the one everyone remembers. If you’re looking for the most famous Enrique Peña Nieto wife, it’s Angélica Rivera.
She was "La Gaviota." A literal superstar.
They met when she was hired to be the face of the State of Mexico’s publicity campaigns. It was like a plot from one of her own telenovelas. The handsome, rising political star and the beautiful, beloved actress. They married in a lavish ceremony in 2010, just in time for the 2012 presidential campaign.
It worked. Boy, did it work.
They were the ultimate power couple. But the fairy tale didn't survive the presidency. Between the "Casa Blanca" scandal—where Rivera was found to have a multi-million dollar mansion provided by a government contractor—and the plummeting approval ratings, the marriage felt more like a political arrangement than a romance to many observers.
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The day after he left office in December 2018, the masks started to slip. By February 2019, Rivera officially announced their divorce. She basically said she had given everything to the marriage and now wanted to reclaim her life and career. They haven't been seen together much since.
Life After the Presidency: Tania Ruiz and Simona Sorakaite
After the divorce, the "wife" title became a bit of a moving target. He didn't stay single for long. He was quickly linked to Mexican model Tania Ruiz Eichelmann.
They lived together in Spain for about four years. It was a very different vibe—lots of paparazzi shots of them in Madrid or at high-society weddings. They eventually split in early 2023, with Tania telling the press they still had a lot of love for each other but their life projects had changed.
So, who is the woman in his life now?
As of early 2026, the woman often spotted by his side is Simona Sorakaite. She’s a model from Lithuania. They’ve been seen together in London and Madrid, and while they aren't married—meaning there is no current Enrique Peña Nieto wife in a legal sense—she is clearly his primary partner. They seem to prefer a much more private life than he ever had with Rivera.
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What This Tells Us About Power in Mexico
It’s easy to dismiss this as just gossip. But in Mexican politics, the "First Lady" role (or the lack thereof) is a huge deal.
- Mónica Pretelini represented the old-school, local political roots.
- Angélica Rivera represented the merger of media power and government.
- Simona Sorakaite represents his new life in "exile"—wealthy, European, and disconnected from the Mexican public eye.
Peña Nieto's personal life has always been a mirror of his political standing. When he was the rising star, he had the loyal spouse. When he was the media-driven president, he had the soap opera queen. Now that he's a retired politician living abroad under a cloud of various investigations, he has a partner who has nothing to do with the Mexican public sphere.
Actionable Insights for Following the Story
If you're trying to stay updated on the former president's status or the lives of his former partners, here is how to cut through the noise:
- Check the "HOLA!" Factor: In the Spanish-speaking world, HOLA! magazine is the unofficial record-keeper for Peña Nieto. If a breakup or a new marriage is official, it usually breaks there first.
- Watch Angélica Rivera’s Socials: "La Gaviota" has been teasing a return to acting for years. Her professional comeback is often tied to her distancing herself further from the "First Lady" image.
- Monitor Spanish Tabloids: Since Peña Nieto holds a "golden visa" in Spain, the most accurate "candid" sightings of him and Simona Sorakaite now come from European outlets like Diez Minutos or Lecturas rather than Mexican government briefings.
The story of the Enrique Peña Nieto wife (or wives) is really a story about the changing face of Mexico itself. From the traditional to the televised to the globalized. Whether he ever walks down the aisle for a third time remains to be seen, but for now, the "Golden Boy" of Mexican politics seems content staying out of the bridal shops and staying in the shadows of Madrid.