From Playboy girl to politician? TV star to be candidate for Milei’s party in election

From Playboy model to potential politician, Argentine media celebrity Karen Reichardt is back in the spotlight after agreeing to be a candidate for President Javier Milei's party

Reichardt, 56, has been signed up as a candidate for national deputy representing Buenos Aires Province on La Libertad Avanza’s list, running behind economist José Luis Espert.

Reichardt rose to fame in the late 1980s on the comedy news show NotiDormi. She became known for her provocative style, appearing on popular programmes like Peor es Nada and the parody show Brigada Cola. She once posed for Playboy magazine in an iconic “blonde and brunette” shoot with another model, María Fernanda Callejón.

Her film work included light comedies such as Tachero nocturno (1993) and Pasión de multitudes (1995). In 2014, she publicly condemned inappropriate behaviour by a fellow actor during theatre productions.

After stepping back from the spotlight, Reichardt returned as host of Fanáticas, a female-focused sports show that ran seven years and earned a Martín Fierro nomination. A devoted River Plate fan, she combined sports reporting with television presenting.

Since 2015, Reichardt has focused on animal welfare, launching a dog clothing line and hosting Amores Perros, a weekly programme promoting adoption and responsible pet care. She describes her work as “a labour of love” that is amplified by being on television.

A mother of two who keeps her family private, Reichardt has shown public support for President Milei and La Libertad Avanza on social media. Her potential candidacy blends media fame with political ambition – she’ll be hoping to be as popular as she was in the 1990s on the campaign trail.

Quizzed about what she will bring to the ruling party’s ticket, Espert praised Reichardt’s communication skills and said she had "great clarity” when speaking in “defence of the ideas of freedom.”

"We must wage a phenomenal cultural battle against all the mental parasites that Kirchnerism has installed," he said, adding: "She has her own television programme, and I found her to be very lucid, very clear about what needs to be communicated." 

– TIMES/NA