Marian Rivera was born in Madrid, Spain to Francisco Javier Gracia Alonso, a Spaniard and Amalia Rivera, a Filipina from Cavite. After her parents separated, her mother brought her to the Philippines where she grew up most of her life. She later finished BS Psychology in De La Salle University Dasmariñas.
Rivera first starred in afternoon soap operas for TAPE Inc. and GMA Network including Kung Mamahalin Mo Lang Ako, Agawin Mo Man Ang Lahat and Pinakamamahal. She was then featured in Enteng Kabisote 2: Okay Ka Fairy Ko: The Legend Continues. Later, GMA Network cast her in a mother role for the afternoon Philippine-Malaysian drama Muli. Rivera formally signed a contract in GMA Network, Inc. and starred the title role of MariMar, which premiered on August 13, 2007. The show became the highest-rated primetime show on Philippine television at that time. In 2008, Rivera played the role of Dyesebel which aired on April 28, 2008. For starring in the most popular TV shows like Marimar and Dyesebel Rivera was given the "Phenomenal TV Star" award by the Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Scholarship Foundation (GMMSF) at the 38th Box-Office Entertainment Awards. In early 2009, she appeared in her first straight drama series, Ang Babaeng Hinugot Sa Aking Tadyang. Later that year, Rivera was cast as Darna in the TV remake of the greatest superhero in the Philippines.
In 2010, Rivera, starred in the TV remake of the Korean dramaEndless Love. In 2011, Rivera headlined GMA Network's series Amaya.In late 2011, it was confirmed that she will partner once again with real and reel boyfriend Dingdong Dantes in the most-awaited fantasy series of GMA-7, "My Beloved," which is currently in pre-production for 2012. In 2012, Rivera headlined GMA Network's upcoming weekend DraMedy which will be aired this year entitled, Tweets for my Sweets with Nova Villa, Chef Boy Logro, Sheena Halili, Mikey Bustos, Barbie Forteza, Elmo Magalona, & Roderick Paulate.
