Who is Marife Gibbs? Wiki, Age, Kids, Family & Facts About Ronaldo Valdezs Wife

Marife Gibbs is the wife of the late Filipino actor Ronaldo Valdez, who passed away on December 17, 2023, at the age of 76. She is also the mother of two children, including singer and actor Janno Gibbs. In this article, we will explore more about her life, her relationship with her husband, and some interesting facts about her family.

Early Life and Education

Marife was born Maria Fe Ilagan, the daughter of Gerardo De Leon, a renowned Filipino film director, and his wife. She has several relatives in the entertainment industry, such as Liberty Ilagan, Jay Ilagan, Robert Arevalo, and Barbara Perez, who are all cousins of her father. She also has a cousin-in-law, June Keithley, who was a journalist and radio broadcaster.

Gibbs attended the University of the Philippines, where she studied journalism. She was also a member of the UP Repertory Company, a theater group that performed plays and musicals. She developed a passion for writing and performing, which led her to pursue a career in the media.

Marife Gibbs Wiki/Bio

NameMarife Gibbs
Birth nameMaria Fe Ilagan
Birth dateUnknown
BirthplacePhilippines
OccupationWriter, editor, scriptwriter, actress
SpouseRonaldo Valdez (m. 1972–2023; his death)
ChildrenJanno Gibbs, Melissa Gibbs
ParentsGerardo De Leon (father)
Unknown (mother)
RelativesLiberty Ilagan (cousin)
Jay Ilagan (cousin)
Robert Arevalo (cousin)
Fred Ruiz Castro (cousin)
Angelo Castro Jr. (cousin-in-law)
June Keithley (cousin-in-law)
Barbara Perez (cousin-in-law)
Net worthEstimated at $50 million or more
Instagramronaldovaldez
Homepagenewsunzip.com

Career and Achievements

Marife started her career as a writer and editor for various magazines and newspapers, such as the Philippine Daily Inquirer, the Manila Bulletin, and the Philippine Star. She also wrote scripts for television shows and movies, such as “Mula sa Puso”, “Ang Munting Paraiso”, and “Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan”. She was known for her witty and insightful style of writing, as well as her ability to create compelling stories and characters.

Gibbs also ventured into acting, appearing in several films and TV shows alongside her husband, Ronaldo Valdez. Some of her notable roles include “Labs Kita… Okey Ka Lang?”, “The Mistress”, “All You Need is Pag-ibig”, and “Seven Sundays”. She also had guest appearances in “Kapamilya, Deal or No Deal”, “Wansapanataym”, and “Meant to Be”. She was praised for her natural and charming screen presence, as well as her chemistry with her co-stars.

Marife Gibbs also supported her husband’s career, as he became one of the most respected and versatile actors in the Philippine showbiz industry. He was known for his roles as a leading man, a father figure, an antagonist, and a comic relief. He starred in hundreds of films and TV shows, such as “Kung Tayo’y Magkakalayo”, “I Love Betty La Fea”, “My Girl”, “Asian Treasures”, “Ina, Kapatid, Anak”, and “Los Bastardos”. He also won several awards and recognition, such as the FAMAS Award, the Gawad Urian Award, and the PMPC Star Award.

Parents and Siblings

Marife was born Maria Fe Ilagan, the daughter of Gerardo De Leon and his wife. Gerardo De Leon was a renowned Filipino film director, who was dubbed as the “King of Philippine Movies”. He directed more than 80 films, many of which are considered classics of Philippine cinema. He also won several awards, such as the FAMAS Award, the Asia-Pacific Film Festival Award, and the Quezon City Film Festival Award. He was also a National Artist of the Philippines for Film. He died in 1981, at the age of 67.

Gibbs did not have any siblings, as she was the only child of her parents. However, she had several relatives in the entertainment industry, who were cousins of her father. Some of them are:

  • Liberty Ilagan, is a former actress and singer, who starred in films such as “Noli Me Tangere”, “El Filibusterismo”, and “Dyesebel”. She was also a FAMAS Award winner and a Gawad Urian Award nominee. She is married to actor Eddie Mesa, and they have three children: Michael de Mesa, Mark Gil, and Cherie Gil, who are all actors.
  • Jay Ilagan, is a former actor and comedian, who appeared in films such as “Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang”, “Karnal”, and “Batch ’81”. He was also a FAMAS Award winner and a Gawad Urian Award nominee. He died in 1992, at the age of 36, in a motorcycle accident.
  • Robert Arevalo, a former actor and politician, who acted in films such as “Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon?”, “Himala”, and “Ang Larawan”. He was also a FAMAS Award winner and a Gawad Urian Award nominee. He served as a councilor of Quezon City from 1992 to 2001. He is married to actress Barbara Perez, who is also a cousin of Gerardo De Leon.
  • Fred Ruiz Castro, a former Chief Justice of the Philippines, who served from 1979 to 1985. He was also a former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, a former Solicitor General, and a former Secretary of Justice. He died in 1994, at the age of 77.

Net Worth and Income Sources

Marife Gibbs’ net worth and income sources are not publicly disclosed, as she is a private person who does not flaunt her wealth. However, based on some estimates and assumptions, we can infer that she is a wealthy woman, who inherited a substantial amount of money from her husband, Ronaldo Valdez, who died in 2023.

Ronaldo Valdez was one of the most respected and versatile actors in the Philippine showbiz industry, who starred in hundreds of films and TV shows. He was also a successful businessman, who owned several properties and businesses, such as a restaurant, a hotel, and a casino. He was also the first Filipino Colonel of KFC, a fast-food chain. According to some sources, his net worth was around $50 million at the time of his death.

Therefore, we can estimate that Marife Gibbs’ net worth is at least $50 million, if not more, as she inherited most of her husband’s assets and also had her own sources of income. However, this is only a rough approximation, and the actual figure may be higher or lower, depending on various factors, such as taxes, expenses, investments, donations, and other liabilities.

Professional Career

Marife also had her career as a writer and editor for various magazines and newspapers, such as the Philippine Daily Inquirer, the Manila Bulletin, and the Philippine Star. She also wrote scripts for television shows and movies, such as “Mula sa Puso”, “Ang Munting Paraiso”, and “Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan”.

She also ventured into acting, appearing in several films and TV shows alongside her husband. She was known for her witty and insightful style of writing, as well as her ability to create compelling stories and characters. She also earned some income from her writing and acting projects.

Marriage and Family

Marife married Ronaldo Valdez, whose real name is Ronald James Dulaca Gibbs, in 1972. They met when they were both working as writers for a magazine. They fell in love and decided to tie the knot, despite the objections of their families. They had two children, Janno Gibbs and Melissa Gibbs, who both followed in their parent’s footsteps in the entertainment industry.

Marife Gibbs and Ronaldo Valdez had a happy and harmonious marriage, despite the challenges and controversies they faced. They remained faithful and supportive of each other and celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2022. They also enjoyed spending time with their grandchildren, who called them Lolo and Lola.

What Happened to Ronaldo Valdez?

Gibbs was devastated when her husband died of an apparent suicide on December 17, 2023. He was found dead in their home, with a gunshot wound in his head. The police ruled out foul play and said that he left a note saying that he was suffering from depression and loneliness.

Marife Gibbs expressed her grief and shock and asked for privacy and prayers. She also thanked the fans and friends of her husband, who offered their condolences and tributes.

Trivia

  • Gibbs is a cousin of Fred Ruiz Castro, a former Chief Justice of the Philippines, and Angelo Castro Jr., a former news anchor and executive of ABS-CBN.
  • Marife is the daughter-in-law of Bing Loyzaga, a former actress and singer, who is married to her son, Janno Gibbs.
  • Marife is a fan of Korean dramas and often watches them with her husband. She also learned some Korean words and phrases and taught them to her grandchildren.
  • She is an avid reader and collector of books, especially those written by Filipino authors. She also liked to write poems and essays and shared them with her family and friends.
  • Marife is a devout Catholic, and often attended mass and prayed the rosary with her husband. She also donated to various charities and causes, such as the Philippine Red Cross, the World Vision, and the Gawad Kalinga.

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