MEET FABIÁn
Fabián Basabe, is a devoted family man, entrepreneur, collector and avid supporter of the arts and the environment.
Born in New York City to an Ecuadorian father and American mother, Basabe moved with his parents to Quito, Ecuador in 1984 at age six, where he attended the S.E.K. Elementary School and was immersed in Latin American culture.
In 1987 Basabe then moved with his family to Miami Beach, where his parents acquired and began restoration of The Boulevard and Breakwater Hotels on South Beach’s now infamous Ocean Drive. During holiday breaks and summers, Basabe helped part-time at both hotels; and in I Paparazzi, the Breakwater’s celebrity-filled restaurant, experiencing first-hand Miami Beach’s rapid growth and transformation into an international resort destination.
After graduating Connecticut’s Cheshire Academy, Basabe studied International Relations at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California where he also became interested in television and film.
Following college, in 2000, Basabe returned to New York City, becoming a fixture on the social and nightlife scenes. At the encouragement of friends, he explored broadcasting and acting, first landing a spot on E!’ Entertainment Television as a Spokesperson for the “Junior Jet Set”, followed by roles in the E! documentary, “Young, Rich and Famous” and on the number one rated reality show, “Filthy Rich Cattle Drive”. On TLC’s “Simple Life to Social Life”, Basabe’s New York City life was juxtaposed on camera with a rural American farm girl, resulting in an appearance on Oprah.
Basabe was named Gotham Magazine’s most eligible bachelor, but for years had planned to marry his best friend and college sweetheart, Martina Borgomanero. During a spontaneous trip to Miami Beach in 2005, Basabe proposed, the couple eloped and were married on the private beach of the Fanjul family’s Casa de Campo estate. A New York City reception soon followed to celebrate the nuptials.
In 2007, Basabe returned to Miami Beach, and, along with his wife, decided to make it their forever home.
Basabe’s charitable efforts have benefited South Florida’s Make a Wish Foundation, Operation Smile, Spirituality for Kids, the IBLA Foundation and Edwin Gould Services for Children’s “Children’s Expressions Project” and the Cushman School.
In his spare time Basabe enjoys writing, and has contributed to LA Confidential, Paper Magazine, Gotham, Miami’s Plum Magazine; and international editions of Glamour and Marie Claire.
Basabe presently consults on select art and design projects as well as unique branding concepts, while managing several boutique developments on personal properties in and around Miami.
He maintains his primary residence on Miami Beach with his wife and their fourteen-year-old son, Brando.
Basabe currently serves as Florida State House Representative for District 106 continuing his mission to improve the quality of life for our communities.