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Is Carl Ruiz Married to Wife? Or Dating a Girlfriend?

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Image of Carl Ruiz with his ex-partner, Marie Riccio, and their kids, Robert and Michelle Kirby

Carl Albert Ruiz, commonly dubbed as Carl “The Cuban” Ruiz, was a famous American celebrity chef and restaurant owner. He rose to prominence for appearing as one of the high-caliber judges in various TV cooking competitions.

Like any other professional chef, he also started as a sous chef as he honed his skills. After almost a decade, he was able to open up his restaurant, which features Italian dishes, Marie’s Italian Specialties.

His way of cooking attracted many customers and even executives until he was discovered by a celebrity named Guy Fieri, who endorsed him on the Food Network Channel. Since then, he has featured his talent and dishes in different reality series such as Diners, Dive-Ins, Dives (2012), and Guys Grocery Games (2013).

Unfortunately, he suddenly fell to his demise in 2019. The subject’s Italian specialties captured not just the taste buds but also the heart of many people and his family around him.

Read this Wikipedia-type biography to know the different details about Carl Ruiz’s wife and previous relationships.

Is Carl Ruiz Married to Wife?

Image of Carl Ruiz with his ex-partner, Marie Riccio
Carl Ruiz with his ex-partner, Marie Riccio

The late star chef is, of course, not married to anyone as of the moment, but he used to have a wife named Marie Riccio. The former couple shared the same interest and careers as Marie is a chef and the co-owner of the above-mentioned restaurant.

Carl Ruiz’s wife currently works as the head manager and chef of Marie’s Italian Specialties. Carl Ruiz’s wife tied the knot in the early 2000s but eventually decided to be divorced in 2018 due to unknown reasons.

They are proud parents of their two children.

Carl Ruiz’s Short Biography

The Food Network’s resident judge was born on the 4th of April, 1975, in New Jersey, USA, where he was also raised by his loving parents, Elissa and Yezzid Ruiz, who are Cuban and Colombian. He stated that Elissa and his grandmother heavily influenced his passion for cooking.

He finished his culinary degree at New York’s Institute of Culinary Education. After his divorce from his previous partner, he opened another restaurant called La Cubana months before his passing on September 21, 2019, due to heart failure.

The professional cook lived for 44 years. His colleagues, ex-wife, and previous station gave their tributes to the late chef.

Carl Ruiz’s Kids

Image of Carl Ruiz's ex-partner, Marie Riccio, and their kids, Robert and Michelle Kirby
Carl Ruiz’s ex-partner, Marie Riccio, and their kids, Robert and Michelle Kirby

Despite living with a hectic job and schedule, the culinary artist still managed to lead his household, especially his two children, Robert Kirby and Michelle Kirby, who are twins. They are approximately 17 years old as of the moment as they were born in 2005.

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