Published on 22 May 2025 | 6 min read

Sissi Fleitas: The Opera-Born Star Who Carried Cuba with Her

  • Inspiration
  • Stories

Known as a Cuban American actress, TV host, businesswoman, and one of the most recognized Latin figures in the entertainment industry, Sissi Fleitas has made more than a name for herself.

Her story, while now filled with international glamour and accolades, began in the heart of a challenging Cuba, shaped by music, hardship, and relentless dreams. 

Sissi was born into the world of art, almost quite literally. “I was born and raised into the environment of the arts. That shaped my entire life. My mom was an opera singer, and I almost was born in this theater while she was attending a performance of Traviata in this theater.” Her mother, Dinorah Arguelles, was the Primera Solista de la Ópera y el Lírico Nacional de Cuba for over three decades—a towering cultural figure and Sissi’s greatest inspiration. 

Sissi Fleitas stands beside her mother, Dinorah Arguelles, both smiling at an event celebrating Cuban arts and culture.
Sissi Fleitas with her mother, Cuban opera legend Dinorah Arguelles, at a 2005 Miami Beach event.
Cuban American actress Sissi Fleitas poses effortlessly with a blonde hair styled in an updo poses against a dark gradient background. She is wearing a crisp white button-down shirt with the collar popped and black pants. She accessorizes with a bold, statement necklace and matching earrings featuring large purple and green gemstones. She has red lipstick and subtle eye makeup, and her arms are crossed with a smile on her face.
Sissi Fleitas, known for her career in television, film, and theater, continues to redefine success through artistic expression and cultural advocacy.
Sissi Fleitas comment when asked about her adolescence:
“ All my childhood, I spent it between school and the most beautiful city in Havana. That's called Grand Theater. I think that completely shaped my life. I used to do homework surrounded by 60 musicians playing symphonic music. ”

By age four, she was already performing.

The Grand Theater of Havana was not only her playground—it was her classroom. “I love the music. I love being on the stage. It was my natural environment, I guess” 

But outside that theater, life was complex.

As she entered young adulthood, the political system in Cuba limited her educational prospects. “University was a challenge because they closed all the universities in Havana and they would send people to work to the countryside. If you wanted to study, you have to study and work in the countryside picking up tomatoes and potatoes.” 

Faced with restrictions and unrealized potential, Fleitas looked outward. “I wanted to leave because I knew already there was another world waiting for me.” In 1998, she made a bold leap and moved to the United States—an immigrant chasing dreams beyond borders, language, or certainty. 

“I devoured it, and I had no other choice because there was no turning back. ”
Sissi Fleitas poses on the red carpet at a Sábado Gigante event in a silver and black strapless gown.
Sissi Fleitas on the Sábado Gigante red carpet, where she co-hosted for over eight years.

That leap led to Sábado Gigante, the most-watched Spanish-language show in the world.

For over eight years, Fleitas co-hosted with Don Francisco, appearing weekly in more than 100 million homes. It was the launchpad for a dazzling career. Soon after, she starred in telenovelas like Más Sabe el Diablo and The Secrets of Lucía, reaching audiences in over 60 countries. She also graced major stages, hosting festivals in Mexico and Chile and leading shows like Esta Noche TuNight, the Hispanic version of The Tonight Show. 

She seamlessly moved into film, debuting in El Baile de San Juan and starring in international projects such as La Seductora, Rumble—which premiered at Cannes—and the Spanish biblical film Juan Apóstol. In theater, she held prominent roles in Mexican classics like Aventurera, Divorciémonos mi Amor, and The Vagina Monologues, earning the “Best International Actress” honor from Mexico’s theater critics.

 

Still, Fleitas never stopped evolving.

She recently dove into real estate, launching her own business in Miami, her home of 25 years. Her entrepreneurial ventures included bestselling calendars sold across U.S. retailers, brand campaigns with American Airlines and Ford, and a beauty line, ElyssBel by Sissi Fleitas, which she founded before the pandemic put it on pause.

Passionate about food, she created DeliSissi, her own cooking show. On reality TV, she captivated audiences in Top Chef Estrellas (Telemundo) and My Life is a Telenovela (WE tv), among others. Throughout it all, her Instagram account (@sissifleitas) has drawn hundreds of thousands of fans, eager for every update from the woman who has lived so many lives in one.

Sissi Fleitas speaks at a podium during a Casita Maria Center for Arts & Education event.
Don Francisco, Sissi Fleitas, and Moataz Rafaie share a laugh at a formal gala with a grand opera backdrop.
Tracy Fortson, Sissi Fleitas, and Lisa Soren at a Casita Maria holiday celebration event in New York City.
Sissi Fleitas with her mother Dinorah Arguelles and her husband Moatez Refaie

Sissi Fleitas pictured in her ongoing work as a cultural advocate and humanitarian.

Yet, perhaps her greatest role has been that of a humanitarian.

She has led fundraising efforts across Latin America and serves as an ambassador for both the Cuban Artist Fund in NYC and the Florida Grand Opera. Since 2023, she has worked to introduce Spanish-speaking youth to opera through FGO’s educational initiatives. She also sits on the board of Casita Maria, the oldest Hispanic nonprofit in the U.S., an organization the Hejl Foundation has been involved in throughout the past few years. The organization is dedicated to uplifting low-income children through the arts in NYC.. She aims to increase access for Spanish-speaking youth to opera education, believing the stories shared through the art form are vital in cultural preservation. 

Fluent in Spanish, English, French, Portuguese, and conversational Arabic, Fleitas is a citizen of the world. She has lived in Miami, Mexico City, Los Angeles, Madrid, and New York—each chapter enriching her dynamic story. 

Sissi Fleitas measures her success not by fame, but by fulfillment. From Havana’s opera halls to Hollywood’s red carpets, she has cultivated an oura of influence and passion, inspiring Cuban Americans across the nation.