Sonia "Tita" Puopolo is a renowned motivational speaker, entrepreneur, and philanthropist who works tirelessly to support various artistic organizations through fundraising. She wrote a book titled "Sonia's Ring" about finding her mother's wedding ring in the rubble of the 9/11 attacks, which helped her transform her philosophy to live gratefully in the present moment. Puopolo grew up immersed in the arts through her mother, a ballet dancer, and continues her family's legacy of using art to positively impact communities and share love. While her days are busy, she makes time for meditation, yoga, and giving thanks each day.

1. 110 H O L A . C O M
S O C I A L I T E
SONIA ‘TITA’
PUOPOLOSHE IS THE UNSTOPPABLE FORCE
THAT WORKS TO SUPPORT THE ARTS
WHILE SHARING THE INSPIRING
PERSONAL STORY THAT SHE HOPES
WILL TRANSFORM THE WORLD
BY GISELLE BALIDO PHOTOS: SANDY POIRIER
When it comes to the arts, Sonia “Tita” Puopolo is always center
stage. The renowned motivational speaker, entrepreneur
and brand, image and communications specialist carries out an
important philanthropic work raising funds to support diverse artis-
tic organizations, from the Miami City Ballet and Boston’s
Landmarks Orchestra to Citizens Interested in the Arts, which
made her the recipient of the Champion of the Arts Award in 2012.
Sonia is also the author of Sonia’s Ring: 11 Ways to Heal Your
Heart, the inspiring true story of what happened when her
mother, the Puerto Rico born and raised philanthro-
pist and patron of the arts Sonia Mercedes Morales
Puopolo, died in the terrorist attacks on the World
Trade Center. This was a devastating blow to her
husband and children. But a year after the tragedy
something miraculous took place: among the 1.6
million tons of debris, Ground Zero workers found
the wedding ring that her husband had given her 40
years before and returned it to her grateful family.
Photographed on the stage of Boston’s landmark Paramount
Theater, where her parents had their first date, Sonia talked to us
about her passion for art in all its forms, the book she wrote to bring
a message of hope to the world and her dreams for the future.
How did finding the ring transform your philosophy of life? I live
very much in the moment –in the now– because every minute
counts and is special for me. Every day I wake up full of gratitude
and I thank God for everything. My day is is go, go, go, 24/7, but I
always make time for yoga, for meditation and to give thanks. My
mother always told me: “You were not born crying, you were born
with a smile.”

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How would you describe the process of writing Sonia’s
Ring? It took me 9 years. It was extremely difficult and
challenging. Still, I’m very grateful that I could take an
incredibly horrific and tragic world event, and a per-
sonal loss, and transform it into a story that offers love,
light and hope for humanity. Some people who have
read it tell me it’s like yoga for their mind.
Art played a fundamental role in your mother’s life,
who was a ballet dancer. How did this influence you? I
grew up going to the ballet and the theatre, whether it
was to see a musical on Broadway or at Harvard’s
A.R.T. Music and theatre have always been a part of
my life.
What does philanthropy mean to you? It’s something
that I have done forever, since I was a little girl,
because I learned it at home with my parents’ exam-
ple. Art is very important, especially programs that
help inner city youth, because they allow them to
channel their energy in positive ways. I always ask
myself: “How can I help to make the world a better
place?” Art is a way to share the love and the light. It
has been and will always be very important to me.
You say your life is go, go, go 24/7. What do you do to
relax? I love to read books, crochet and watch movies.
And as it relates to my favorite things to do, I’m very
focused on achieving goals, writing stories, consulting
on fashion and wellness projects, and public speaking.
You are a tireless worker for the arts, but do you have
personal dreams you’d like to fulfill? To be happily
married and create a wonderful family.
SOCIALITE