5 Shocking Details About Margarita Forés' Cause Of Death And Her Unforgettable Culinary Empire

The sudden passing of Chef Margarita Forés, a revered figure in Asian and Filipino gastronomy, sent shockwaves through the culinary world in early 2025. As of today, December 18, 2025, the official cause of death has been confirmed, providing clarity on the tragic loss of the woman who was named Asia’s Best Female Chef in 2016. Her death, at the age of 65, marks the end of a remarkable career defined by resilience, a deep passion for Italian flavors, and a staunch commitment to elevating Filipino ingredients.

Margarita Forés was more than a chef; she was a pioneering restaurateur who built an impressive gastronomic empire that transformed the dining landscape of the Philippines. Her legacy is a tapestry woven from her personal battles, her extensive list of acclaimed restaurants, and her profound influence on a generation of food lovers and industry professionals. The circumstances surrounding her passing, including her history as a two-time cancer survivor, have only intensified public interest in the final chapter of her extraordinary life.

The Life and Times of a Culinary Icon: Margarita Forés Biography

Margarita “Gaita” Forés was a force of nature whose life story is as rich and complex as the dishes she created. Her journey from a young woman who fell in love with Italian cuisine to an internationally recognized culinary mogul is a testament to her vision and relentless drive.

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• Full Name: Margarita Araneta Forés
• Nickname: Gaita
• Date of Birth: March 23, 1959 [cite: 2 from step 1]
• Date of Death: February 11, 2025 [cite: 2 from step 1]
• Age at Death: 65 [cite: 1 from step 1]
• Place of Death: Hong Kong (Found unresponsive in a hotel room) [cite: 1, 11 from step 1]
• Cause of Death: Cardiac Arrest [cite: 3, 6 from step 1]
• Nationality: Filipino
• Occupation: Chef, Restaurateur, Entrepreneur
• Son: Amado Forés [cite: 1, 5 from step 1]
• Key Award: Asia's Best Female Chef (2016) [cite: 2 from step 1]
• Notable Personal Battle: Two-time cancer survivor (including thyroid cancer in 2006) [cite: 5, 10, 11 from step 2]
• Culinary Focus: Italian cuisine, elevated Filipino cuisine, and farm-to-table concepts.

Forés's initial spark for cooking ignited during a four-month trip to Italy in 1986, where she immersed herself in the language and cuisine [cite: 9 from step 2]. This experience didn't just teach her techniques; it instilled a deep respect for ingredients, which she later applied to rediscovering and championing local Filipino produce [cite: 15 from step 2].

Margarita Forés Cause of Death: The Official Confirmation

The news of Margarita Forés's passing on February 11, 2025, was met with an outpouring of grief and speculation. Initial reports indicated she was found unresponsive in a hotel room in Hong Kong, where she was traveling [cite: 1, 11 from step 1].

However, an official statement released shortly after confirmed the definitive reason for her sudden death, putting an end to rumors and unconfirmed reports of a heart attack [cite: 3, 10 from step 1].

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The official cause of death for Chef Margarita Forés was cardiac arrest [cite: 3, 6 from step 1].

This revelation was particularly poignant given her well-documented history of health battles. Forés was a formidable two-time cancer survivor, having successfully fought and beaten thyroid cancer in 2006, among other health scares [cite: 5, 10, 11 from step 2]. Her resilience in the face of these challenges was a source of inspiration, making her sudden passing from a cardiac event all the more tragic.

Her family, including her son Amado Forés, requested privacy during this difficult time, while celebrating her life as a philanthropist and culinary visionary [cite: 5 from step 2, 1 from step 1].

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The Enduring Culinary Legacy: Restaurants and Influence

Margarita Forés’s impact on the dining scene extends far beyond her famous dishes. She was a master entrepreneur who created a diverse portfolio of successful restaurants and concepts, each leaving an indelible mark on the Filipino palate [cite: 4, 14 from step 2]. Her work helped redefine what "Filipino dining" could be, often blending her Italian expertise with local ingredients and sensibilities [cite: 8, 17 from step 2].

Her culinary empire is a testament to her business acumen and artistic vision. Key entities in the Margarita Forés legacy include:

• Cibo: Launched in 1997, this casual dining chain introduced authentic, affordable Italian cuisine to a wide Filipino audience, making her a household name [cite: 16 from step 2].
• Lusso: A sophisticated, high-end champagne bar and concept restaurant known for its luxurious take on comfort food, including its famous *Lusso* burger [cite: 3, 6 from step 2].
• Grace Park: A celebrated farm-to-table restaurant that champions local, organic, and heirloom Filipino ingredients, showcasing her dedication to sustainability and local producers [cite: 6, 7 from step 2].
• The Loggia at Palacio de Memoria: A newer, elegant dining venture offering refined Filipino and Spanish-inspired cuisine [cite: 3 from step 2].
• Alta: Her involvement in running the food and beverage operations at Ascott, demonstrating her reach into the hotel and hospitality sector [cite: 6 from step 2].
• Cibo di Marghi: Her premier catering company, which handled high-profile events, including cooking for dignitaries like former US President Barack Obama [cite: 3, 15 from step 2].
• Fiori di Marghi: A floral and event styling business, showcasing her broader artistic and aesthetic talents beyond the kitchen [cite: 7 from step 2].

Through these ventures, Forés became a pioneering figure, not just as a chef, but as a business leader who successfully merged fine dining with accessibility and local pride. Her 2016 recognition as Asia's Best Female Chef was a crowning achievement that brought international attention to her unique style and the burgeoning Filipino food scene [cite: 2 from step 1].

The Two-Time Cancer Survivor's Resilience

One of the most compelling aspects of Margarita Forés's public life was her incredible story of survival. She was a two-time cancer survivor, a fact that underscored her strength and determination both inside and outside the kitchen [cite: 10, 11 from step 2].

Her battle with thyroid cancer in 2006, in particular, was widely publicized and served as an inspiration to many. This personal fight informed her commitment to healthier, more wholesome food, which became a cornerstone of her later restaurants like Grace Park [cite: 11 from step 2]. Her association with organizations like the ICanServe Foundation further cemented her role as a philanthropist and advocate for cancer awareness, extending her influence beyond gastronomy [cite: 5 from step 2]. Her life was a powerful example of overcoming adversity, making her sudden death from a cardiac event a deeply felt loss.

Margarita Forés: A Taste of Italy, A Heart for the Philippines

Margarita Forés is often credited with introducing authentic Italian cuisine to the Philippines, but her true genius lay in using that knowledge to elevate her own country's food [cite: 13, 17 from step 2]. Her time in Italy taught her the importance of fresh, seasonal, and quality ingredients, a philosophy she brought back to the Philippines, inspiring a new generation of chefs to look inward at their own local produce [cite: 15 from step 2].

Whether it was an authentic Italian pasta dish at Cibo or a refined Filipino heirloom rice meal at Grace Park, her work was always characterized by passion, precision, and an unwavering commitment to quality. Her culinary journey from *Italian student* to *Asia's Best Female Chef* is a powerful narrative of cultural exchange and gastronomic innovation that will continue to inspire chefs globally for years to come. Her legacy is one of flavor, resilience, and a deep, abiding love for food and country.