Ana Nogales

Latino Leaders: The National Magazine of the Successful American Latino, August-Sept, 2004

The name Ana Nogales is among the most highly recognized and highly respected in the US today A doctor in psychology who is also a famed newspaper writer, radio and TV personality, Dr. Nogales has dedicated her career to helping the men and women of the Hispanic community in the US through her advice on family, marriage, intimacy and also on the uniqueness of being bicultural in this country.

Born and raised in Argentina, Nogales found herself drawn to this nation when her parents and siblings moved permanently to the US. Once here, Dr Nogales established herself as a prominent figure by offering counseling and support to the local Hispanic community especially Hispanic women, for whom she wrote her most recent work the book Latina Power--7 Strengths You Already Have to Create the Success You Deserve.

From her office in Los Angeles, Dr Nogales candidly answered our questions and shared with us her views on life, family, and the importance of becoming active in the community

* What is your idea of perfect happiness? To become the person I always wanted to be.

* What is your greatest fear? To be old and regret what I could have done and did not.

* What is the trait you most dislike in others? Dishonesty.

* What is your greatest extravagance? To keep my determination against all odds.

* What is your greatest regret? Not to trust my intuition and listen to others instead.

* What is your most treasured possession? My family and friends.

* What or who is the greatest love of your life? Alex Nogales.

* When and where were you happiest? When my daughters and granddaughters were born. Also when I was in NY, coming downstairs in the elevator of a hotel, and a lady who saw me holding my book said: "Oh, are you reading that book? My friend read it and changed her life. I am going to buy it too!" (It is an unsolicited comment from a stranger that validated my efforts and my passion.)

* What other talent would you most like to have? I would like to have the talent of a politician and to be able to make a positive impact in our people's lives.

* What is your current state of mind? Wondering what is coming next.

* If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Do not try to understand what is not understandable.

* What do you consider your greatest achievement so far? To have been able to roach our community through my own radio and TV shows and many additional presentations, my column in La Opinion for approximately 15 years, my two books, and thousands of articles and columns for different magazines. In addition, to have developed not only my private practice with approximately 12 therapists, but also a nonprofit organization for victims of crime.

* What do you regard as the lowest depth of mistral? Betrayal. It always comes back to you.

* What other profession would you like to do and why? An archaeologist. I would like to do research on our ancestors and learn about the amazing history of human kind.

* What other profession would you not like to do? Mortician.

* What do you value most in your friends? Their unconditional and supporting love,

* Who are your favorite writers? Isabel Allende.

* Who is your favorite fictional hero? I do not like fiction. Real life has more than enough surprises and excitement.

* Who are your heroes in real life? Women who were able to make it out of nothing.

* What is it that you most dislike? El Chisme.

* How would you like to die? Looking back into my life with satisfaction.

* What is your motto? Love, love for life.

The Proust questions give insight into a personality. They were made famous by early 20th-Century French novelist Marcel Proust, who, with Franz Kafka and James Joyce, is regarded as one of the fathers of the modern novel. His stunningly precocious and deep answers to the questions at the age of 13, and then more mature replies to the same questions at age 20, left the western world agape, and made Proust the talk of many a dining room and salon.