Risa Hontiveros Biography: Everything You Need To Know About The Filipino Senator

Risa Hontiveros, born on February 24, 1966, is a Filipino politician and journalist who is popularly known for her influence and contributions to the Philippine political sphere


Risa Hontiveros, born on February 24, 1966, is a Filipino politician and journalist who is popularly known for her influence and contributions to the Philippine political sphere. 

She is a former Member of the Philippine House of Representatives for Akbayan, a former member of the Philippine Senate Health and Demography Committee, and a Senate Deputy Minority Leader. 

In 2016, Risa Hontiveros was elected to the Senate in the Philippines, becoming the first socialist woman Senator. She was re-elected in 2022. 


Here's everything you need to know about Senator Risa Hontiveros:

  • Her full name is Ana Theresia " Risa" Navarro Hontiveros–Baraque
  • She was born in February 24, 1966, in Manila, Philippines
  • As of 2024, she is 58 years old
  • Her mother was a executive secretary while her father was a lawyer. She also has five siblings
  • She acquired secondary education at St. Scholastica’s College before going on to attend Ateneo de Manila University where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences to in 1987
  • She started her career as a journalist working as a television journalist and news anchor for television networks like IBC and GMA Network
  • She also co-anchored news and public affairs programs such as Headline Trese, XYZ Young  Women’s TV, Firing Line, Sunday Patrol, Magandang Umaga Po, and GMA Network News

  • She started her political career in 2004 and was the third nominee of the Akbayan party-list in the national elections that year
  • She ran for the position of Senator of the Philippines in 2010 and 2013 and lost on both occasions before eventually winning it in 2016 after running for the third time
  • She was re-elected as a Senator in 2022, earning over 15 million votes
  • She was married to Francisco Baraquel Jr., and they both had four children together before he died of heart attack in 2005
  • As of 2024, she has an estimated net worth of P177 million