In a heart-wrenching announcement, former Major League Baseball (MLB) outfielder Gorkys Hernández revealed that his wife, Deisy Tovar, tragically lost her life in a hotel collapse caused by a series of powerful earthquakes in Venezuela. The 38-year-old Hernández paid tribute to Tovar on Instagram, describing her as the “queen of my life” and the “most beautiful, kindest, and most precious woman”.
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The devastating earthquakes, which struck the Venezuelan capital of Caracas on 24 June 2023, registered magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5. Tovar was staying at the Hotel Eduard in La Guaira when the disaster struck. Following the collapse, search and rescue teams scoured through the debris, desperately seeking survivors. Unfortunately, Tovar was among those reported missing in the aftermath of the calamity.
In his emotional tribute shared on Saturday, 27 June, Hernández expressed both his love for Tovar and the profound impact she had on his life. “You were always the one who found a way to lift me up during my darkest moments,” he noted in his heartfelt message. He further stated, “Fly high, my princess, my queen. May God hold you in His glory.”
Hernández and Tovar were married in 2025, and had a daughter from Tovar’s previous relationship. In the days leading up to his tragic announcement, Hernández had appealed to the public for privacy, emphasising that he had not yet confirmed his wife’s status. “This is a very difficult time for me and my family,” he wrote on Instagram Stories, prior to confirming the heartbreaking news.
The aftermath of the earthquakes has had catastrophic repercussions, with the Venezuelan government reporting over 1,400 confirmed fatalities. More than 3,300 individuals have been injured as rescue operations continue to unfold. Local media stories indicated that the situation may be even more dire, with over 78,000 people listed as missing in the wake of the disaster. By late June, reports suggested that more than 13,000 of those missing had been found, yet an alarming 51,000 individuals remained unaccounted for.
Hernández, who played in the MLB from 2012 to 2019 for teams including the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Boston Red Sox, demonstrated grace under tragic circumstances, vowing to carry forth a “mission” that he shared with Tovar. His reflections included a profound acknowledgment of their shared resilience, stating, “You taught me to be strong through every moment in life, even though it isn’t easy.”
The repercussions of these earthquakes extend beyond Hernández and Tovar. The former spouse of fellow MLB player Álvaro Espinoza has also been reported missing following the hotel collapse. This shared tragedy among the sports community highlights a broader human loss that transcends geographical and cultural boundaries.
As recovery efforts continue amidst the destruction, Hernández’s heartfelt tribute serves as a poignant reminder of the personal toll wrought by natural disasters. In his message, he called for strength and guidance, not only for himself but for his family as they navigate this unimaginable tragedy. The reality of the disaster is felt deeply as the affected communities begin to rebuild their lives amid the ruins.
In the face of such overwhelming grief, Hernández finds himself navigating the dual challenges of mourning the loss of his wife and fulfilling his parental responsibilities. As rescue operations persist in Venezuela, the world watches closely, offering support and sympathy for those impacted by this catastrophic event.