Skip to content 
Discover María Corina Machado’s biography — her age, family, education, political journey, husband/ex-husband status, and what is known about her net worth as she leads Venezuela’s opposition.
María Corina Machado is a Venezuelan activist, engineer, and political leader renowned for her bold opposition to authoritarianism and her efforts to restore democratic norms in Venezuela. Born in Caracas in 1967 into an influential industrial family, she transitioned from corporate and civil society roles to becoming one of the most prominent voices challenging the Venezuelan government. Despite political bans, arrests of colleagues, and threats, she has continued advocating for electoral transparency, human rights, and economic reform. Her recent receipt of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize has brought her global recognition. Her story is relevant for anyone interested in political courage, democracy under threat, and leadership in crisis.
Highlights of This Biography
- Date of Birth: October 7, 1967 — she is about 58 years old in 2025.
- Place of Birth / Family Background: Caracas, Venezuela; eldest of four daughters; father Henrique Machado Zuloaga was a businessman in the steel sector, mother Corina Parisca is a psychologist.
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering (Andrés Bello Catholic University); Master’s in Finance from IESA (Venezuela).
- Political / Activist Roles: Co-founder of the civil society organization Súmate; founder and national coordinator of Vente Venezuela; served as member of the Venezuelan National Assembly from 2011 to 2014.
- Husband / Marital Status: Divorced; married in 1990 to Ricardo Sosa Branger, divorced in 2001.
- Children: She has three children.
- Net Worth: Public information is limited and estimates vary; no highly credible, up-to-date source confirms a large net worth; some sources suggest modest personal wealth relative to political exposure.
- Awards & Recognition: Recipient of human rights awards; 2024 Václav Havel Prize; 2024 Sakharov Prize; awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize.
Early Life & Education
María Corina Machado was born on October 7, 1967, in Caracas, as the eldest daughter in a well-connected family with industrial roots. Her father was involved in the steel business, and her family heritage includes several prominent Venezuelan figures in business and public life.
She attended Catholic school in Caracas, and for some period went to a boarding school in Massachusetts (U.S.), gaining international exposure early. She studied Industrial Engineering at Andrés Bello Catholic University in Caracas, then obtained a Master’s in Finance from the Institute of Advanced Studies of Administration (IESA), one of Venezuela’s major business schools. Her engineering and finance training informed her later critiques of economic policy and public management in Venezuela.
Political & Activist Career
- Civil Society / Early Activism: Before holding elected office, she co-founded Súmate, a citizen organization focused on electoral monitoring, transparency, and citizen participation in Venezuela’s elections. Her activism in that space built her reputation among opposition circles.
- National Assembly (2011-2014): She was elected in 2010 to the National Assembly, taking office in January 2011. Representing part of Miranda state (urban and suburban Caracas areas), she was a strong voice in the Assembly. Her term ended in 2014 after she was removed (or had her mandate challenged) under contested legal or parliamentary actions, due to her opposition activities and protests.
- Vente Venezuela & Presidential Aspirations: Machado founded Vente Venezuela, a political party/movement that seeks economic liberalization, democratic reforms, transparency, and stronger institutions. She participated in the opposition primaries for the 2023 presidential election. However, in 2024 she was barred by authorities from being an official candidate. She remains a central leader of the opposition, often pushing for negotiation, human rights, free elections, and reforms of state institutions.
- Recent Developments: Facing political bans, legal restrictions, and allegations from government bodies, Machado has become a target of political persecution. Despite this, she remains active in mobilizing support both domestically and internationally. Her efforts have been recognized globally through awards and her nomination / receipt of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2025.
Personal Life: Husband & Children
María Corina Machado was married in 1990 to Ricardo Sosa Branger, an entrepreneur. The marriage ended in 2001. She and Sosa Branger have three children:
- Ana Corina Machado
- Ricardo Machado
- Henrique Machado
Public details about her family are relatively private. Her children are sometimes kept out of the spotlight, especially given the high political risks and the security concerns associated with her activism.
Net Worth & Financial Profile
Reliable, transparent data on María Corina Machado’s net worth is limited. Public and journalistic sources do not confirm large personal fortunes in the way entertainment or business magnates do. Some sites provide estimates, but many disclaim that their data is speculative. Given her family background, engineering & finance education, and roles in activism and politics, she likely has personal assets and wealth above average in Venezuela—but exact verified numbers are not well documented in reputable sources as of 2025.
Conclusion
María Corina Machado’s life is a portrait of political courage, resilience, and advocacy in a context of intense political oppression. From her engineering and finance education to civil society activism, to elected office, to becoming a symbol of opposition and democracy, she has faced banishment, threats, and legal obstacles. Her recent international recognition cements her status as a major figure in the struggle for democratic governance in Venezuela.
Her legacy will be measured not only in awards, but in whether her political movement helps bring transparency, rule of law, and human rights back to Venezuelan governance. For many observers of Latin American politics and human rights, she exemplifies how principled leadership can persist even under authoritarian pressures.
FAQs About María Corina Machado’s Biography
What is María Corina Machado’s age?
She was born on October 7, 1967, making her about 58 years old as of 2025.
What is her educational background?
She holds a degree in Industrial Engineering from Andrés Bello Catholic University and a Master’s in Finance from IESA in Caracas.
Was she ever married and does she have children?
Yes—she was married to Ricardo Sosa Branger from 1990 to 2001 and has three children.
What political party does she lead?
She leads Vente Venezuela, a political movement / party focused on opposition to Maduro’s regime, promoting democracy, transparency, and economic reform.
Has she held elected office?
Yes—she served as a member of Venezuela’s National Assembly from 2011 until 2014, after which her mandate was removed under contested political-legal actions.
Is she currently allowed to run for president?
As of 2024-2025, she was barred by electoral or judicial authorities from running in the presidential election; so she has not been a candidate in the official ballot.
What awards or international recognition has she received?
Among her recognitions are the Václav Havel Human Rights Prize (2024), the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought (2024), and notably the Nobel Peace Prize in 2025 for her efforts defending democracy under duress.
