Raquel Mancini Breaks the Silence: Thirty Years of Secrets with Nicolás Repetto

Through an exclusive interview on Mitre Live, model Raquel Mancini finally decided to share an episode of her life that she kept hidden for three decades. Journalist Juan Etchegoyen confirmed what seemed to be just a rumor: in the summer of 1992, Raquel Mancini had a passionate and completely secret relationship with Nicolás Repetto, one of the most important TV hosts in Argentina at that time.

The encounter that changed everything in November

The story began casually. Raquel visited Repetto’s show, and during that meeting, a spark ignited that would lead to a romance meant to stay in the shadows. “We hit it off, it was November,” recalled the former model during the interview. At that time, Repetto was already separated from Reina Reech, and they both agreed to keep their connection completely out of the public eye.

“We started dating, obviously hidden because I didn’t want it to be public. I wasn’t interested, and neither was he; that was very strong at the time,” explained Mancini, who in those years was one of the most recognized figures in Argentine entertainment.

Hiding strategies in the era of paparazzi

What was particularly challenging in 1992 was avoiding press photographers. Without today’s social media, paparazzi used large equipment to capture any movement of celebrities. When Mancini needed to get to Repetto’s house in Punta del Este, she had to resort to clever methods.

“I went to his house and got into a trunk five blocks before, because at that time there were no social media, just paparazzi with huge cameras. They would look at you, zoom in with their telephoto lenses, and make a mess,” she vividly described. After three intense days together, returning also required extreme caution. “When they came to pick me up, I went back in the trunk. No one found out until now that we’re telling this,” she confessed.

A connection without deep love

Although the romance was passionate, Raquel was clear that there were no deeper feelings involved. They had “good vibes, good chemistry,” but the emotional connection didn’t lead to falling in love. “I felt good with him being around, but I never loved him, I didn’t fall for him at all,” Mancini emphasized.

Similarly, she acknowledged that Repetto didn’t fall in love with her either. “He later got involved with Flor, he fell in love with Flor. I took another path too. Each of us went our own way, in the best spirits,” she concluded, referring to Florencia Raggi, the current wife of the host.

From iconic model to survivor: Raquel Mancini’s journey

To understand who Raquel Mancini is beyond this forgotten episode, it’s essential to go back to the 1980s. The model was the most sought-after figure of that decade, becoming synonymous with beauty and elegance in Argentina. A cover of Gente magazine marked a turning point: that photo was followed by more than forty covers of various publications, memorable commercials, and appearances on popular shows like Mesa de Noticias and Brigada Cola.

Her romantic life was as intense as her professional career, with publicly known loves and others kept secret, like her romance with Nicolás Repetto. However, the 1990s brought unexpected challenges that would forever change her life.

The events that marked her life

In 1996, a failed liposuction left her in a coma, an event that changed her outlook on life. The following years brought new blows: consequences of gender violence suffered at the hands of a partner, complications from a lip aesthetic procedure that got infected after a blow. In 2008, during a rehearsal for Patinando por un Sueño, she suffered a fracture in her tibia and fibula.

Fate had one last severe test in store: in 2016, an H1N1 flu put her into a coma for fifteen days. Her recovery was considered almost miraculous by doctors.

Today, a new perspective

Now, Raquel Mancini presents herself with accepted vulnerability and a serenity that contrasts with her turbulent past. At this stage of her life, she has found new ways to enjoy what she loves: photography. “I’m representing a very cool clothing brand I identify with, and I’m having a great time because I’ve returned to taking photos, which I love doing. I create content for social media, I get paid, and I’m happy with that,” she recently shared.

Although a line of accessories with her brand had to be suspended due to health issues of her partner, Mancini remains hopeful of resuming that project in the future. Her story, both the newly revealed and her personal struggles, confirms that Raquel Mancini is much more than an 80s model: she is a survivor who has learned to live in the best spirits, just as she described her brief but intense chapter with Nicolás Repetto.