Celeste Josefina Amarilla Goitia, born on October 21, 1964, in San Juan Bautista, Misiones Department, Paraguay, is a Paraguayan lawyer, senator, and politician who represents the Authentic Radical Liberal Party.
She is 61 years old and has spent four decades in Paraguayan public life as one of the country’s most outspoken legislators. In July 2026, she became one of the most globally searched names of the FIFA World Cup, but for reasons that have brought profound international embarrassment to Paraguay.
Celeste Amarilla Profile
| Name | Celeste Amarilla |
| Real Name | Celeste Josefina Amarilla Goitia |
| Date of Birth | October 21, 1964 |
| Nationality | Paraguay |
| Occupation | A Paraguayan lawyer, senator, and politician |
| Religion | N/A |
| Marital Status | Widow |
| Net Worth | $3.7 million |
| Copied from | content101.com |
Educational Background
Amarilla received her education at the Collège de l’Immaculée Conception, a French primary and secondary school in Asunción. In 1982, she enrolled in the Faculty of Law, Social Sciences, and Politics at the National University of Asunción, where she completed her first year of studies.
She resumed her legal education in 2004 at the Universidad del Norte and earned her law degree in 2008. Additionally, she completed a postgraduate programme in political science through the Rector’s Office of the National University of Asunción.
Career
Amarilla helped establish the Authentic Radical Liberal Party and its youth wing, Juventud Liberal Radical Auténtica, in 1982. Her elected career began much later. From 2018 to 2023, she served as a deputy representing the Capital District, before beginning her current role as a national senator for the Authentic Radical Liberal Party in June 2023.
During her time in the Chamber of Deputies, she positioned herself as a critic of internal corruption and party dysfunction, building a reputation as one of Paraguay’s most combative and headline-generating legislators. In 2020, she was suspended for sixty days from her parliamentary duties and salary after alleging that as many as seventy of her fellow deputies had effectively purchased their seats, a claim that triggered a formal disciplinary vote against her.
Controversies
Celeste Amarilla’s most current and most globally significant controversy erupted in the days following Paraguay’s round-of-16 exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup against France on July 4 to 5, 2026.
After Paraguay’s elimination, Amarilla took to X and unleashed a string of posts targeting Mbappé’s race, upbringing, and intelligence. She mocked his education, made a racist remark comparing him to a primate, and used a slur referencing colonialism and his Cameroonian heritage. She also suggested that Paraguay’s goalkeeper, Orlando Gill, should have made an obscene gesture at Mbappé over an alleged post-match snub.
Mbappé publicly condemned Amarilla as “despicable”, later stating she did not represent Paraguay. The French Football Federation and French public prosecutors launched an investigation into Amarilla, which she publicly rejected as gender-based violence. The Paraguayan government and FIFA publicly condemned Amarilla’s comments, voicing support for Mbappé.
Cédric Perrin, who chairs the French Senate’s Foreign Affairs Committee, publicly demanded an explanation and pointed to years of friendship between France and Paraguay now under strain. Even French President Emmanuel Macron got involved, backing Mbappé’s response.
Paraguay’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued its own statement, stressing that Amarilla’s comments were her own responsibility as an individual lawmaker and did not reflect the government’s position or the views of the Paraguayan people. Amarilla subsequently deleted the posts, published an open letter acknowledging regret for the language used, while simultaneously accusing Mbappé of sexism in his response and threatening her own legal action against him. The matter remains unresolved as of the time of this publication.
Celeste Amarilla Social Media Handle
https://www.instagram.com/celestesenadora?igsh=dThvOGI1cXAxZGV3
Personal Life
Celeste Josefina Amarilla Goitia was born on October 21, 1964, in San Juan Bautista, Paraguay, making her 61 years old. She was married to PLRA politician Franklin Boccia from 1988 until he died in 2015. She keeps the rest of her personal and family life largely away from public scrutiny.
Celeste Amarilla Net Worth
Celeste Amarilla’s net worth is estimated to be around $3.7 million.