1. Ernesta Laura Herrera de Noble
2. Marriage to Roberto Noble
3. Inheritance and Leadership of Clarín
4. Partnership with Rogelio Frigerio
5. Expansion of Media Empire
6. Formation of Grupo Clarín
7. Controversies and Legal Disputes
8. Adoption Investigation

Ernesta Laura Herrera de Noble

Early Life and Career

Ernestine Laura Herrera was born on June 7, 1925, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. As a young woman, she pursued a career as a flamenco dancer.

Marriage to Roberto Noble

Around 1950, Herrera met Roberto Noble, the publisher of the influential newspaper "Clarín." They maintained an irregular relationship until Noble divorced his wife in the early 1960s. They married in 1967. Roberto Noble died of cancer in 1969.

Inheritance and Leadership of Clarín

As Noble's widow, Herrera inherited control of "Clarín," which had become Argentina's largest-circulation newspaper in 1965. Despite its popularity, the newspaper faced financial difficulties upon Herrera's succession.

Partnership with Rogelio Frigerio

Herrera sought support from one of Noble's most successful allies, economist Rogelio Frigerio, who provided "Clarín" with a $10 million loan. In return, the newspaper continued to support Frigerio's political platform. Herrera also hired Héctor Magnetto, on Frigerio's advice, to manage the newspaper's finances.

Expansion of Media Empire

By 1977, Herrera had forged partnerships with two major competitors, "La Nación" and "La Razón," as well as "Papel Prensa," Argentina's leading newsprint manufacturer. Under her leadership, "Clarín" expanded its presence in Argentine media, acquiring "Radio Mitre" and "Channel 13" in 1990, "Multicanal Cable TV" in 1992, and other stations and publications.

Formation of Grupo Clarín

The partnership with "La Nación" evolved into the joint news agency "Diarios y Noticias (DyN)" in 1982 and the holding company "Cimeco S.A." in 1997, which acquired controlling stakes in numerous regional newspapers. In 1999, these holdings were consolidated into "Grupo Clarín," making it the dominant player in Argentina's media industry.

Controversies and Legal Disputes

Herrera's professional success has been accompanied by controversies. She faced a protracted inheritance dispute with her late husband's only daughter, Guadalupe Noble. The dispute over control of "Grupo Clarín" remains unresolved.

Adoption Investigation

In 2002, Herrera was arrested after the "Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo" filed a lawsuit alleging that her adopted children, Marcela and Felipe Noble, were children of political prisoners who had vanished during the "Dirty War" military dictatorship. The organization demanded that Marcela and Felipe submit DNA samples. Herrera has denied the allegations, and the case remains open.

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