Maria Corina Machado Biography
Childhood
Maria Corina Machado was born on October 7, 1967, in Caracas, Venezuela. She grew up as the eldest of four daughters in a conservative Catholic family. Her father, Henrique Machado Zuloaga, was a prominent steel industrialist, and her mother, Corina Parisca Pérez, was a psychologist. Raised in an environment valuing education and tradition, Machado attended elite schools in Caracas and also studied abroad at a boarding school in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Her family heritage includes notable Venezuelan historical figures, which contributed to her strong sense of civic responsibility.
Career
After earning a degree in industrial engineering from Andrés Bello Catholic University and a master's degree in finance from the Instituto de Estudios Superiores de Administración (IESA), Maria Corina Machado initially worked in her family’s steel company. In 1992, she founded the Atenea Foundation, which focused on helping street children in Caracas. Her activism deepened as Venezuela's political climate changed, leading her to co-found Súmate in 2001, a volunteer civic group advocating for free and fair elections. Machado’s political career advanced when she was elected to the National Assembly in 2010 with record votes. However, her outspoken opposition led to her expulsion from office in 2014. Currently, she leads the Vente Venezuela party and has been a key figure in unifying pro-democracy forces in the country. For her dedication to democratic values, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2025.
Current Family Life
Maria Corina Machado is divorced and has three children: Ana Corina, Ricardo, and Henrique. Due to political persecution concerns, her former husband and two of her children live abroad for safety, while Ana Corina remains close to her, often supporting her mother's activism from a place of concealment. Machado balances her demanding political life with motherhood, often discussing the challenges and sacrifices involved in protecting her family while continuing to fight for Venezuela’s democracy.
Maria Corina Machado Summary
Maria Corina Machado is a Venezuelan industrial engineer turned prominent political leader and activist. Rising from a background of privilege and education, she dedicated herself early on to social causes and democratic activism. Her career is marked by strong opposition to government corruption and authoritarianism, which has earned her both national admiration and political exile. Alongside her public career, she manages the complexities of family life amid the pressures of political persecution. Her impactful leadership was internationally recognized with the Nobel Peace Prize in 2025, marking her as one of the leading voices for democracy in Venezuela.