Biography
Born in Habana, Cuba, Ana María Polo is the host of renowned Telemundo show "Caso Cerrado", the first Spanish language program nominated for a Daytime Entertainment Emmy® Award, and in 2015 ranked as the number one Spanish-language program at 4pm across key demos. The great success garnered by "Caso Cerrado" motivated Telemundo to bet once again on Polo's talent and last year launched "Caso Cerrado Edición Estelar" (Case Closed Primetime Edition) (M-F 7PM). The program, which premiered in high definition format, allows viewers to witness the popular show's most extraordinary cases and disputes, presented with the same dynamism and energy by which it is characterized.
With more than 20 years of experience as a lawyer, Polo became known to television audiences in 2001 on Telemundo's program "Sala de Parejas" (Couples' Room), where she quickly won over the hearts of viewers. In 2005, "Sala de Parejas" became "Caso Cerrado con la Dra. Ana Maria Polo" (Case Closed with Dr. Ana Maria Polo) (M-F 4PM), a program highlighting lawsuits and legal situations. In addition to hosting the show, Polo also composed and interpreted the theme song of the program, and during the last 10 years she has maintained an undivided connection with the Hispanic community from coast to coast.
In 2010 Polo also launched "Persiguiendo Injusticias"(Pursuing Injustices), an original program that incorporates a new, never before seen format in Hispanic television; and that with the help of the community seeks to go after and help solve crimes that have gone unpunished. This same year she launched her first book, entitled "Querida Dra. Polo Las cartas secretas de Caso Cerrado"(Dear Dr. Polo: The Secret Letters of Cased Closed), based on the letters that were sent to the renowned attorney by television viewers; and which narrate the secret underworld life of thousands of individuals who can no longer distinguish between good and evil. Since its launch on November 2, 2010, the book has been a huge success, maintaining second place in popularity lists in addition to completely selling out its first edition.
During 2011 Polo was honored with the Mickey Leland Humanitarian Achievement Award that honors individuals and organizations affiliated with the communications industry which demonstrate a humanitarian commitment. To close 2011, Polo was named the first Hispanic ambassador for Stand Up To Cancer, joining an esteemed list of national and international celebrity supporters of the initiative, which raises awareness and funds for collaborative cancer research.
As a breast cancer survivor, Polo has become a fighting role model for many women, and works with different organizations that fight to find a cure to this disease. Her commitment to the Hispanic community has also prompted her involvement with various topics of importance to her, including the fight for human rights and against discrimination. On November of 2014 Ana Maria Polo was invited by the Human Rights Organization to participate on their Americans for Marriage Equality video campaign, the first one released with a Hispanic personality, both in Spanish and English.
Before her formal start in television, Polo practiced her profession as a lawyer for more than 20 years in the city of Miami, where she tended to cases of divorce, adoptions, paternities, custodies, child support, alimonies, and domestic violence. She also participated as an expert lawyer in various television programs, such as The Maria Laria Talk Show,
The Cristina Show, and America en Vivo, among others. Polo graduated with a degree in political science from Florida International University and a PhD in law from the University of Miami.
