The search for Maribel Vilaplana Wikipedia has gained considerable relevance in recent years, especially after the events of 2024 that placed the Valencian journalist in the media spotlight. Born in Muro de Alcoy in 1975, Vilaplana is one of the most recognised voices in audiovisual journalism in the Valencian Community, with a professional career spanning over two decades in the media.
Graduating in Information Sciences from the CEU Cardenal Herrera University in 1998, Maribel Vilaplana began her professional career in radio, working at the 97.7 Valencia station and at the territorial delegation of RTVE in the Valencian Community. However, her name became definitively popular from 1999, when she joined Canal 9, the former Valencian regional television (RTVV). For almost fifteen years, she was one of the main presenters of the channel's news programmes, earning the audience's trust with her professionalism and approachability.
Her time at Canal Nou was particularly significant between 2009 and 2013, when she presented the morning edition of Notícies Nou, the midday news, and various special programmes. During this period, she consolidated her position as one of the most recognisable faces of regional television. The closure of Radiotelevisión Valenciana in 2013 marked a turning point in her career, forcing her to reinvent herself professionally outside the strictly television realm.
Professional reinvention after the closure of RTVV
After the closure of Canal 9, Vilaplana did not leave the audiovisual sector or communication. Instead, she decided to create her own company, Bencomunicat S.L., dedicated to training in communication, public speaking, and leadership. Since then, she has worked as a high-impact communication consultant, providing training in prominent institutions such as the Valencia Chamber of Commerce, the University of Valencia, and the European University of Valencia. Her specialty focused on teaching professionals to speak in public effectively, convey messages authentically, and manage professional image in demanding environments.
This phase positioned her as one of the most sought-after communication experts in the Valencian business and educational sphere. During these years, in addition to her role as a trainer, she served as a public speaking teacher at the EDEM business school, expanding her influence in training new communication professionals in the region.
Joining Levante Unión Deportiva
In August 2023, Vilaplana made an unexpected turn in her professional career by joining the Board of Directors of Levante Unión Deportiva as a Communication, Institutional Relations, and club spokesperson. Her arrival coincided with the entry of a new management team led by businessman José Dánvila Subiza, who sought to professionalise the club's communication with a strategic focus and greater institutional transparency. This position kept her active in the media and communication landscape of the Valencian Community.
The DANA event and its consequences
The peak of media relevance for Vilaplana came in 2024 when she became embroiled in a controversial incident during the DANA floods that devastated Valencia. While the catastrophic events were unfolding, Vilaplana was dining with the then president of the Generalitat Valenciana, Carlos Mazón, at the restaurant El Ventorro. The meal, which cost 165 euros, coincided precisely with the moment when the climate emergency that would cause 228 fatalities was unleashed.
During this meeting, Mazón proposed that she accept the position of general director of À Punt Mèdia, an offer that Vilaplana declined. The details of this meal became public, generating significant political and media controversy. Vilaplana's involvement in these events placed her in the centre of public scrutiny, an uncomfortable position for someone who had spent years working away from the spotlight after the closure of RTVV.
As a result of these events, Vilaplana was summoned to testify in court, further amplifying media attention on her. According to reports from that time, the anxiety attacks stemming from this situation were severe enough to require medical assistance in emergency rooms on more than one occasion.
Personal life and family context
On a personal level, Maribel Vilaplana was married to journalist Xavier Carrau, with whom she has two children, Júlia and Xavier. The couple divorced in 2017, although their relationship had been well-known in Valencian journalistic circles. Together, they presented the World Meeting of Families during Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Valencia in July 2006, an event that highlights their relevance in the regional public life during that period.
In November 2024, journalist Xavier Carrau publicly confirmed Vilaplana's divorce, news that was reported in specialised media. Despite the changes in her personal life, Vilaplana has stated in interviews that her family and personal time are essential elements for maintaining balance in the face of the public exposure that characterises her profession. Outside of work, she enjoys activities such as travel, sports, and reading.
Today, Maribel Vilaplana continues to work as a trainer, speaker, and communication consultant, while maintaining her position at Levante Unión Deportiva. Her career reflects the evolution of audiovisual communication in Valencia over the past few decades and how professionals in the sector have had to adapt to changes in the Spanish media market.
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