When Kiké Hernández steps onto the field at Dodger Stadium, millions see a clutch hitter, a versatile utility player, and a fan favorite. But behind the cleats and the home run celebrations is a quiet anchor—Mariana Paola Vicente Morales, the former Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2010 who turned a viral movie role into a life of grace under pressure. Born on January 8, 1989, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Vicente didn’t just win a crown—she built a career, a family, and a partnership that’s become as compelling as any MLB playoff run.
From Catwalk to Camera: The Rise of Mariana Vicente
Vicente’s journey began long before the spotlight of Miss Universe. At just four years old, she started modeling in Puerto Rico, a path shaped by her mother’s work in public relations and her father’s business acumen. By 2009, she was representing Rio Grande in the Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2010 pageant, held on November 12, 2009, in San Juan. She didn’t just win—she swept awards: L'Bel Face, JcPenney Best Style, Holsum Light Best Figure, and Payless Best Catwalk. That victory earned her the chance to represent Puerto Rico on the global stage at the Miss Universe 2010 pageant in Las Vegas on August 23, 2010, where she landed in the Top 10. She was the fourth blonde woman from Puerto Rico to do so, following in the footsteps of Ada Perkins, Laurie Simpson, and Uma Blasini.How a Movie, a Message, and a Helicopter Led to Love
Their story didn’t begin in a ballroom or a red carpet—it began on a couch. In 2015, after a long Dodgers game, Hernández watched Hot Tub Time Machine 2 and was struck by Vicente’s performance. He slid into her DMs. "He sent me a message congratulating me on my performance," Vicente told Inside Weddings. Two months later, they met for lunch. Six months after that, they were in love. "She was as beautiful in person as she was in her modeling pictures," Hernández later said. The proposal? Unconventional, romantic, and perfectly captured. During a trip to Big Sur, California, the bridge to their hotel was closed—so a helicopter flew them in. Unbeknownst to Vicente, Hernández had hired a photographer. When they entered their room, decorated with candles and flowers, Hernández frantically dug through his backpack for the ring. "I turned around and he was on one knee," she recalled. "I got it all on that Snapchat video."
A Family Built on Love, Logistics, and Long Flights
They married on December 8, 2018, in a sun-drenched outdoor ceremony in San Juan, followed by a ballroom reception. Their first child, daughter Penélope Isabel Hernández, arrived in January 2021. Hernández now proudly declares "Papá de Penélope" in his Instagram bio. Then, in August 2025, they announced they’re expecting a son, due in 2026. The couple will celebrate their seventh wedding anniversary on December 8, 2025—a milestone that coincides with the Dodgers’ push for the postseason.While Hernández navigates the grind of MLB—long road trips, early mornings, and the emotional rollercoaster of a 162-game season—Vicente has become his steady force. "She’s my anchor during demanding MLB stretches," says Essentially Sports’ October 2025 profile. She balances her acting roles—appearing in The Bold and the Beautiful and American Horror Story—with motherhood and her modeling career under Element Model Management in Puerto Rico.
Why Their Story Resonates Beyond the Diamond
In an era where athletes’ personal lives are dissected online, the Hernández-Vicente union stands out. They’re not just a celebrity couple—they’re a team navigating real life: sleepless nights, time zones, and the quiet sacrifices that come with loving someone whose job demands constant travel. Their social media is a window into their playful dynamic: Hernández posting in Spanish for their sixth anniversary, calling Penélope "the most beautiful thing" he’s ever had. Vicente, in turn, shares candid moments of motherhood—tired eyes, messy buns, and the kind of love that doesn’t need filters.It’s easy to reduce her to "Kiké’s wife." But she’s more than that. She’s a former pageant titleholder who turned fame into a platform. She’s a working mother in Hollywood who doesn’t let the grind erase her identity. And she’s the quiet reason Kiké Hernández smiles wider after a game-winning hit—not because he’s in the headlines, but because he’s going home to her.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Mariana Vicente’s role in Miss Universe 2010?
Mariana Vicente placed in the Top 10 at the Miss Universe 2010 pageant held in Las Vegas on August 23, 2010, representing Puerto Rico. She was the fourth blonde woman from the island to reach that stage, following Ada Perkins (1978), Laurie Simpson (1987), and Uma Blasini (2007). Her win at Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2010 earned her multiple local awards, including Best Catwalk and Best Figure.
How did Kiké Hernández and Mariana Vicente meet?
They met in 2015 after Hernández saw Vicente in the movie Hot Tub Time Machine 2. He reached out via social media to compliment her performance. Two months later, they had lunch. After six months of friendship, they began dating. Hernández later said he knew from their first meeting he’d propose—leading to a helicopter proposal in Big Sur, California, which Vicente filmed on Snapchat.
Do Mariana Vicente and Kiké Hernández still live in Los Angeles?
Yes, the couple settled permanently in Los Angeles after years of shuttling between LA and New Orleans. They moved there to support both Hernández’s MLB career and Vicente’s acting and modeling work. Their daughter Penélope was born in 2021, and they’re expecting their second child in 2026, further anchoring them in the city.
What is Mariana Vicente doing now besides being a mom?
Vicente continues her acting and modeling career, represented by Element Model Management in Puerto Rico. She’s appeared in TV shows like The Bold and the Beautiful and American Horror Story, and remains active on social media, sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses of motherhood and her professional life. She balances her career with supporting Hernández’s demanding MLB schedule.
When will Kiké Hernández and Mariana Vicente celebrate their 7th wedding anniversary?
The couple will celebrate their seventh wedding anniversary on December 8, 2025—the same day they married in 2018 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The milestone coincides with the Dodgers’ 2025 postseason push, making it a particularly meaningful year for the family.
Is Mariana Vicente the first Miss Universe Puerto Rico to marry an MLB player?
No official records track this specifically, but Vicente is among the very few former Miss Universe Puerto Rico titleholders to marry a current MLB star. Her marriage to Hernández stands out because of the couple’s public, authentic portrayal of love across careers—beauty pageants, Hollywood, and professional sports—rarely seen in mainstream media.
