When Kiké Hernández stepped onto the field during Game 3 of the 2025 World Series Los Angeles, he wasn’t just playing for a championship — he was preparing to welcome his second child. Just days before the series opener, Hernández and his wife, Mariana Vicente, dropped a sweet, matching Instagram post: a glowing photo of Vicente’s baby bump with the caption, "KIKITO coming soon! 💕 #2026." The announcement came as the Los Angeles Dodgers faced off against the Toronto Blue Jays, turning a baseball moment into a family milestone.
A Love Story Rooted in San Juan
Their journey began not on a baseball diamond or a runway, but on a movie screen. In February 2015, Hernández, then a rising infielder with the Boston Red Sox, stumbled upon Hot Tub Time Machine 2 and was instantly drawn to the actress playing a quirky hotel guest. "I thought, ‘Who is that girl? She’s got this spark,’" he later told The Knot. A quick search revealed her name: Mariana Paola Vicente Morales. Even more surprising? She was from San Juan, Puerto Rico — just like him. He slid into her DMs. Two months later, they met for lunch in Los Angeles. "It was supposed to be casual," Vicente recalled. "But we talked for five hours. I forgot my coffee was cold." By October 2015, what started as friendship had turned into romance. Their bond deepened through the rhythms of two demanding careers — Hernández’s grueling MLB schedule and Vicente’s acting and modeling gigs. They moved between Puerto Rico, Los Angeles, and wherever baseball took him, always finding time for each other.
Proposal, Wedding, and First Child
On July 17, 2017, during the MLB All-Star break, Hernández surprised Vicente in Big Sur, California. He’d hired a photographer, decorated a hotel suite with candles and flowers, and waited for her to turn around — only to find him on one knee. "I thought the staff did it," she laughed in an interview with Inside Weddings. "I didn’t see him until I turned."
They married on December 8, 2018, in Puerto Rico, in a ceremony designed so every guest could see them — circular seating, champagne silk-organza gown, burgundy tuxedo. Their daughter, Penélope Isabel Hernández, was born in January 2021, during the height of the pandemic. "It was isolating," Vicente said in September 2025. "No family around. Just us, a baby, and a lot of Zoom calls."
Hernández, ever the proud dad, updated his Instagram bio to "Papá de Penélope." For their sixth anniversary in 2024, he posted in Spanish: "You gave me the most beautiful thing I’ve ever had."
Second Pregnancy, Celebrated in the Spotlight
This time, things are different. "This second pregnancy feels like a gift," Vicente told friends at a September 2025 baby shower in Los Angeles. "We got to celebrate with our family. We got to see Penélope’s face light up when she felt the baby kick." The couple announced the pregnancy just before the 2025 World Series, a strategic, joyful moment. "We didn’t want to wait," Hernández said in a post-game interview. "We’re living in the now. Baseball’s big, but this? This is everything." Vicente, crowned Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2010 San Juan, has remained active in the public eye. Represented by Element Model Management, she’s appeared in Latin American telenovelas and fashion campaigns. But motherhood, she says, is her most fulfilling role.
What’s Next for the Hernández-Vicente Family?
With their seventh wedding anniversary on December 8, 2025, just around the corner, the couple is already thinking ahead. They’ve started a small nursery next to Penélope’s room, painted a soft sky blue. "We’re calling him KIKITO," Vicente shared. "It’s a nickname Kiké’s family used when he was little. It’s sweet. It’s ours." They’ve also begun exploring private schools in the Los Angeles area — not just for Penélope, but for the boy coming in 2026. "We want them to grow up bilingual, grounded, and proud of where they come from," Hernández said. "Puerto Rico is in our bones." Their story is more than a celebrity romance. It’s a testament to patience, shared roots, and the quiet strength of building a life amid chaos — whether it’s a nine-inning game or a global pandemic.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Kiké Hernández and Mariana Vicente meet?
Kiké Hernández first noticed Mariana Vicente while watching Hot Tub Time Machine 2 in February 2015. After learning she was from San Juan, Puerto Rico — like him — and lived in Los Angeles, he sent her a direct message on social media. They met for lunch in April 2015 and began dating by October 2015 after a strong connection formed.
What was Mariana Vicente’s pageant history?
Mariana Vicente won Miss Universe Puerto Rico 2010 on November 12, 2009, in San Juan, earning awards for Best Face, Best Style, and Best Catwalk. She represented Puerto Rico at the 2010 Miss Universe pageant in Las Vegas, placing in the Top 10. She was the fourth blonde woman from Puerto Rico to compete at Miss Universe since 1978.
When and where did Kiké Hernández propose?
Kiké Hernández proposed to Mariana Vicente on July 17, 2017, in Big Sur, California, during the MLB All-Star break. He arranged a romantic hotel suite setup, hiring a photographer and hiding nearby. Vicente thought the decor was a hotel gesture until she turned around and saw him on one knee.
How did the pandemic affect their first pregnancy?
Their daughter Penélope was born in January 2021, during strict COVID-19 lockdowns. Vicente had limited family support, no visitors, and relied heavily on video calls. The experience was isolating, which makes their 2025 pregnancy celebration — with close friends and family present — especially meaningful to them.
Why is the baby’s name "KIKITO"?
"KIKITO" is a childhood nickname Kiké Hernández’s family used for him in Puerto Rico. The couple chose it to honor his roots and create a personal, familial bond between father and son. They announced the name with a playful Instagram post ahead of the 2025 World Series.
What’s the significance of their December 8 wedding date?
December 8 marks the anniversary of their 2018 wedding in Puerto Rico, a day they’ve celebrated every year since. In 2024, Hernández called it the day he received "the most beautiful thing" — their daughter. This year, they’ll celebrate their seventh anniversary while expecting their son, tying their love story to two milestones: marriage and family.
