Lolita Ayala

Dolores "Lolita" Ayala Nieto (born May 20, 1951) is a Mexican journalist and philanthropist from Mexico City. She began her career in television journalism in the early 1970s, at a time when no woman headed a news or informational program in Mexico. In 1974, she was asked to host a segment of the then-popular news show 24 Horas, hosted by Jacobo Zabludovsky, who became her mentor. In 1987, she became the main anchor of her own news program, now called El Noticiero con Lolita Ayala which has been on the air since. She also does health information videos for television. She is a member of ten social/charity organizations, with the most important of these being Sólo por Ayudar which she founded in 1985 and Comité Pro Animal which she co-founded in 1992.

Early and personal life Dolores Ayala Nieto, She came from a medical family. Her father, grandfather, uncles and cousins were doctors. She says she was taught by her parents to give to others as they organized charity works. She began college by studying medicine in the United States and then studied radio and television journalism in Rome. She has two children Anibal and Maria Luisa. From 1972 to 1974 she collaborated on news programs such as “En Punto” and “En contacto directo” as well as other kinds of programs such as “Adivine me chamba” and “Cada noche.” That year, she also presented, alongside Raul Velasco, the third edition of the OTI Festival, which was held in Acapulco.

In 1987, Zabludovsky retired and then the president of Televisa Miguel Alemán Velasco offered Ayala the head anchor position for a news show originally called Muchas noticias, later renamed El Noticiero con Lolita Ayala. She has worked for Televisa for over forty years.

Her journalism work has been described as truthful, simple and avoiding yellow journalism and tabloid-like scandals. It is also noted for promoting several social values. In addition to Zabludovsky, she also worked with Emilio Azcárraga Milmo, Luis Spota and Paco Malgesto. These generally consist of her interviewing one or two experts on a subject, as well as short segments on important points and life stories.

Philanthropic work

Ayala is also noted for her philanthropic and social work similar to that done by other journalists such as Rita Gánem, Virginia Sendel and Patricia Suárez. She states that it is her mission in life to work on social causes.

Her most significant philanthropic work is with the organization, Sólo por Ayudar, which she founded in 1985 after that year’s major earthquake in Mexico City It provides food and medical attention, including medicines and facilities to detect breast cancer.

She is also a founder and the president of the Comité Pro Animal, which works to combat animal cruelty, to provide access to vaccines and to promote sterilization of pets to cut down on the number of animals euthanized in shelters. Recent awards include a bust of her at the Parque de los Periodistas Ilustres in Mexico City (2008), the Mujeres de Excelencia award (2010)

Solo por Ayudar was recognized for its work by the Casa de la América Latina in Monte Carlo.