Who is Vanessa Arevalo?
Vanessa Arevalo is a model, businesswoman, and actress who’s been working in the entertainment industry for over two decades. Most people know her as Cameron Mathison’s ex-wife, but she’s built her own career long before and after their relationship. She was born in Los Angeles on April 19, 1967, and grew up in Orange County, California. Her background is Mexican and Filipino, which gave her a distinctive look that helped launch her modelling career.
These days, Vanessa is 57 and still working as a model with LA Models. She also runs a children’s clothing company and has even done some acting. After 22 years of marriage, she and Cameron divorced in July 2024.
Vanessa Arevalo Biography
Vanessa Marie Arevalo was born and raised in Southern California. Not much is publicly known about her childhood or family life. She keeps that part of her life private, which isn’t surprising given how much attention came with marrying a television star.
What we do know is that she got interested in fashion and modelling early on. Growing up in California in the ’70s and ’80s meant the entertainment industry surrounded her, and she ended up pursuing modelling as a career path while still young.
Vanessa Arevalo Career
Vanessa worked as an international model for 18 years. She appeared in commercials, music videos, magazine covers, and various television shows. The job took her around the world and paid well. During those years, she was established in the industry and was making good money.
When she got pregnant with her daughter, Leila, in 2006, she decided to step back from modelling. In a 2008 interview, she said she’d done it for 18 years, enjoyed the opportunities, especially the travel, but felt it was time to focus on her family. Plenty of women in the industry face that choice, and Vanessa chose her kids over her career at that point.
But here’s the thing about Vanessa – she didn’t stay retired. In March 2018, more than a decade later, she announced she’d signed with LA Models and was getting back into modelling. She posted about it on social media, and just like that, she was back at it. Not everyone gets a second run at their first career, but she did.
While she was home with her kids, Vanessa didn’t just sit around. In 2008, she started a children’s clothing line called KEA + JOBY with her friend Niccole Kroll. The brand inspiration comes from her own kids, which tells you how personal this business was for her.
The company did well. They ended up selling in over 150 stores across the United States. It’s one thing to start a business, but it’s another to actually make it successful and get it into that many retail locations. Vanessa managed to do that while raising two children and dealing with her husband’s busy acting schedule.
In April 2022, Vanessa tried something new – acting. She appeared on General Hospital, the soap opera where Cameron was already a regular. She played a character named Mia. It probably helped having her husband there for support on set. She posted about it later, thanking him for holding her hand through the experience.
Besides modelling, business, and acting, Vanessa also does photography as a hobby and plays bass guitar. She’s been involved with CARE Rescue LA, fostering dogs and helping them find homes. In 2019, she fostered a dog named Hudson who’d been rescued from China and used her platform to encourage people to adopt.
How She Met Cameron Mathison
Vanessa and Cameron met while skiing at Vail Mountain in Colorado. They hit it off and started dating. After several years together, Cameron decided to propose. He took her back to Vail Mountain, where they’d first met, and proposed at the top with the mountain views as their backdrop. He said he had photographers capture the moment, and then they skied down to a champagne lunch he’d arranged at the bottom.
She said yes, obviously. They got married on July 27, 2002.
Vanessa Arevalo Marriage and Children
Cameron and Vanessa’s wedding was small and private, just family and close friends. In April 2003, they had their first child, a son named Lucas Arthur Mathison. Their daughter Leila Emmanuelle Mathison was born in July 2006.
Vanessa’s always been vocal about how much motherhood means to her. She’s posted about her kids on social media over the years, talking about how they’ve taught her patience and unconditional love. She took her role as a mother seriously, which is part of why she stepped away from modelling when they were young.
The couple appeared together at events over the years and seemed supportive of each other’s careers. Vanessa appeared on Cameron’s Hallmark show, Home & Family, multiple times. They looked like they had it figured out.
In July 2024, just four days after their 22nd wedding anniversary, Cameron and Vanessa announced they were getting divorced. They put out a joint statement on Instagram that was surprisingly mature and kind, considering how messy celebrity divorces can get.
They said they’d decided to part ways but were doing it with love, kindness, and respect for each other. They made it clear their kids were still the priority and that they’d continue to co-parent together.
“After 22 years of marriage, we have made the difficult decision to part ways,” the couple said. “We enter this new chapter with deep love, kindness, and respect for each other. We hold gratitude in our hearts for the wonderful years we shared together.”
“Our children have been and will continue to be our highest priority, and we will forever share in our devotion and love for them,”
No drama, no public fighting, just two people acknowledging their marriage had run its course.
Cameron had mentioned on a podcast earlier that they’d had some rough patches over the years. He talked about being worried when he was on Dancing with the Stars because they were going through a challenge. They worked through whatever that was and stayed together for many more years, but ultimately decided to end the marriage.
One thing Vanessa’s been open about is going grey. She stopped colouring her hair and started embracing her natural grey, which she’s posted about on social media. In 2021, she wrote about how she was done covering it up and wanted to accept it as part of who she is.
She said she might look older, but that’s fine because she is getting older, and getting older is a gift. Not everyone makes it that far. It’s a refreshing take in an industry that’s obsessed with youth and looking perfect all the time. Vanessa decided she’d rather be authentic.
In January 2025, Cameron’s house was destroyed in the Los Angeles wildfires. He posted a video showing the damage and confirmed everyone was safe. Even though he and Vanessa were already divorced by then, it still affected their family, especially the kids. Losing your childhood home is tough, no matter how old you are or whether your parents are together.
Vanessa Arevalo Net Worth
Vanessa’s estimated net worth is around $1 million. That comes from nearly two decades of modelling work, her share of the clothing business, and her other ventures. She doesn’t talk publicly about money, so the exact number isn’t confirmed, but that’s the general estimate floating around.
Cameron’s worth about $2 million from his acting career. During their marriage, they were comfortable financially but never seemed to be the flashy type. They raised their kids in what seemed like a pretty standard environment, even though both parents were in the entertainment industry.
Where She Is Now?
Vanessa’s 57 and single for the first time in over two decades. Her kids are grown up now – Lucas is 21 and Leila is 18. She’s still modelling with LA Models, still running her clothing business, and still trying new things like acting and photography.
She seems to be handling the divorce well, at least publicly. She and Cameron appear to be keeping their promise to stay respectful and put their kids first. That’s harder than it sounds, but they’re managing it.
