Julio Rafael Pineda (December 20, 1937 – January 25, 2026) was a Cuban-American television news anchor who spent more than four decades at WXTV, the Univision affiliate serving New York City. He anchored the station's Spanish-language newscast from 1972 until his retirement in 2013, becoming the longest-serving television news anchor in the New York market across all languages.
Life and career Pineda was born in Baracoa, Cuba, on December 20, 1937.New York, Index to Petitions for Naturalization filed in New York City, 1792–1989 He immigrated to the United States before his 20th birthday.
He began his career at the Spanish-language station WXTV in 1968, the year the station signed on, and became the lead anchor of its newscast, Noticias Univision 41, in 1972. On October 29, 1983, he co-hosted the OTI Festival 1983 alongside Ana Carlota.
Pineda retired in 2013. He died on January 25, 2026, at the age of 88.Rafael Pineda, legendary news anchor on Univision 41, dies at 88
Awards and recognition In 2000, Pineda became the first Latino inducted into the Silver Circle of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. He was a recipient of an Emmy Award and seven ACE Awards for best news anchor, and in 2005 received the HOLA Award for Excellence in Spanish-Language Media from the Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors. On June 5, 2005, he was honored by Union City, New Jersey, with a star on the Walk of Fame at the city's Celia Cruz Park. In November 2013, he was inducted into the New York State Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame.
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