The news was confirmed by Univision’s Despierta América, where she worked as a correspondent in New York. In a post shared on Instagram, the show wrote, “We deeply regret the passing of Patricia Fuenmayor, our colleague and correspondent in New York. May she rest in peace.”
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Fuenmayor first rose to public prominence when she represented Zulia in the 1997 Miss Venezuela pageant, where she placed among the Top 8 finalists. Although she did not win the national crown, she went on to represent Venezuela internationally and was crowned Reina Sudamericana 1997 in Bolivia, a title that gave her broader recognition across Latin America.
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After her pageant success, Fuenmayor transitioned into television journalism, becoming a well-known figure on Univision’s Despierta América and Edición Digital. Her engaging personality and dedication to her craft earned her respect among colleagues and audiences alike.
In her final Instagram post on January 1, 2025, Fuenmayor shared a holiday photo with her family, wishing her followers joy and blessings for the new year. The post read, “Happy 2025!!!🥂May this new year bring a thousand blessings to your homes… Health, Well-being, Joy and Abundance… From my family to yours… Happiness✨🙏🏼.”
Tributes have poured in from friends, fans, and fellow journalists. TV anchor Elyangelica Gonzalez wrote, “What a great pain Patricia! May God receive you in his holy glory, give strength to your family and comfort your beloved children.”
Fuenmayor is survived by her husband, Jorge Safar Pérez, and their children. A memorial is expected to be held in her honor.