Judy Araneta-Roxas, civic leader and matriarch of the Roxas family, passes away at 91
By John Legaspi
Judy Araneta-Roxas, philanthropist and mother of former senator and Secretary of the Interior and Local Government Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, passed away on Aug. 26, 2025. Her son confirmed the news of her demise through a social media post.
“We are very sad to share that our mother Judy Araneta-Roxas passed away peacefully this morning, surrounded by family and loved ones,” Mar posted.
Born on July 31, 1934, Judy was the eldest daughter of Ester Araneta and J. Amado Araneta, the visionaries behind the Araneta Group, a commercial conglomerate where she later served as senior executive vice chairperson.
In 1955, she married Senator Gerardo “Gerry” Roxas, the son of President Manuel Roxas. They had three children: Maria Lourdes, Mar, and Gerardo “Dinggoy” Jr.
Judy was best known for her volunteerism, actively engaging in civic, social, and spiritual organizations—most notably the Gerry Roxas Foundation, the J. Amado Araneta Foundation, and the President Manuel A. Roxas Foundation.
According to the President Manuel A. Roxas Foundation, Judy received the Papal Award in 1987 from the late Pope John Paul II for her Christian work and leadership. She was also the first recipient of the Benigno S. Aquino Award for Nationalism, an honor given to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding dedication to the principles of nationalism, democracy, and public service.