Jorge Kahwagi Macari, the Mexican boxer who retired unbeaten, served in Congress, led a national political party and became a household name through Big Brother VIP, has died at 58. His death was made public on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, just six months after the death of his father, publisher and business leader Jorge Kahwagi Gastine.
How the news broke
The first public confirmation came from actor and businessman Roberto Palazuelos, who posted a photo of the two friends on Instagram with a farewell message. In it he told Kahwagi to fly high, just as he lived, and sent condolences to the boxer's mother and sisters.
Senator Manuel Velasco, who sat alongside Kahwagi as a federal deputy in the LIX Legislature, also paid tribute on X, sending his condolences to family and friends. Mexico City's C5 coordinator, Salvador Guerrero Chiprés, added his own message of sympathy, according to Milenio.
What is known about the cause of death
Neither the family nor authorities have released an official cause. Univision, Milenio, Forbes México and Tabasco HOY all note that no cause had been made public at the time of writing.
During the morning show Sale el Sol on Imagen Televisión, journalist Gustavo Adolfo Infante said Kahwagi had died of a stroke in Mexico City. Merca2.0 points out that this version has not been officially confirmed, so it should be treated as unverified until the family speaks.
| Full name | Jorge Antonio Kahwagi Macari |
|---|---|
| Born | May 28, 1968, Mexico City |
| Died | September 30, 2026 (announced), age 58 |
| Known for | Professional boxing, federal deputy, Nueva Alianza party leader, Big Brother VIP |
| Boxing record | Unbeaten; commonly listed as 12 wins, all by KO |
| Parents | Jorge Kahwagi Gastine (d. March 23, 2026) and Sonja Macari Chalhub |
| Siblings | Sonja and Layla |
From the ring: an unbeaten boxing career
Kahwagi turned professional in 2001 and fought as a cruiserweight. By Infobae's account he won the Mexican cruiserweight title in 2002 and also picked up Latin American belts from the WBC and WBO. ESPN Deportes lists his final record as 12-0 with 12 knockouts, and notes that he claimed the WBC Latin cruiserweight title in 2004 by beating Dwayne Swift in Mexico City.
His record was not free of controversy. Infobae's recap says four of his opponents (Perry Williams, Richard Wilson, Dwayne Swift and Buck Smith) were investigated by the FBI over alleged payments to lose fights, and the quality of some opposition was questioned in the boxing press.
He returned to the ring in 2015 in Cebu, Philippines, against Ramón Olivas. The fight lasted roughly 40 seconds before the referee stopped it and declared Kahwagi the winner.
Politics: Congress, Nueva Alianza and Elba Esther Gordillo
Kahwagi served as a federal deputy from 2001 to 2006, starting with the Partido Verde Ecologista de México. He later became secretary general of Nueva Alianza, the party tied to teachers' union leader Elba Esther Gordillo, and led it as president from 2007 to 2011. He returned to the Chamber of Deputies for a second stint from 2009 to 2012.
Big Brother VIP and the public spotlight
Kahwagi's profile rose sharply in 2004, when he asked for leave from Congress to enter Big Brother VIP. The decision sparked criticism because he reportedly continued to draw his legislative pay while on the show. It became one of the best-remembered clashes between politics and reality television in Mexico.
Beyond politics and sport, he was a regular presence in entertainment coverage. Infobae notes he was romantically linked with several celebrities, and later years brought attention for cosmetic changes, including a 2012 eye-color change, before he stepped back from public life.
Health scare in 2019 and a quieter final chapter
In April 2019 Kahwagi was hospitalized in Mexico City. He later wrote on X that a stomach ulcer had burst, thanking friends for their concern. Infobae reports that he also dealt with a bacterial infection, and that his public appearances dropped off afterward.
His X account had reportedly gone without updates since 2019.
His name returned to the headlines in March 2026 when his father died, and now again with his own death.
A family marked by two losses in six months
Jorge Kahwagi Gastine, president of Grupo Crónica and publisher of La Crónica de Hoy, died on March 23, 2026, at 85. He was also a former head of CONCANACO and a founder of Inmobiliaria Layla. Kahwagi Macari is survived by his mother, Sonja Macari Chalhub, and his sisters Sonja and Layla. His nephew Fernando Marón Kahwagi serves as vice president of La Crónica de Hoy.
Frequently asked questions about Jorge Kahwagi Macari
Who was Jorge Kahwagi Macari?
When did Jorge Kahwagi Macari die?
What was the cause of death?
Who announced his death?
What was Jorge Kahwagi's boxing record?
Why was he criticized for Big Brother VIP?
Is he related to Jorge Kahwagi Gastine?
Who survives him?
Final thoughts: a public life of contrasts
Jorge Kahwagi Macari was an unusual figure in modern Mexico: an unbeaten heavyweight-class fighter who was also a party leader, a legislator and a reality TV contestant. Admirers remember a charismatic friend, critics recall the controversies around his fights and his leave from Congress, and both camps agree he was impossible to ignore.
This is a developing story. Details such as the cause of death, funeral arrangements and any family statement may change. We will update this article as reliable information is released.