There are stories that carry both the softness of hope and the weight of truth. The story of Ella Marques is one of those. A proud Portuguese-American woman now living in Boca Raton, Florida, Ella is a writer, a global citizen, and a radiant voice for the transgender community. Her memoir, “I Was Born a Boy, From Venus. It’s Time to Be Yourself,” is not just a chronicle of transition, it is a heartfelt call for authenticity, acceptance, and love. Born in Portugal and educated at an international boarding school in Switzerland, Ella's life journey has taken her across continents, cultures, and languages, seven of which she speaks fluently. From the cosmopolitan streets of Paris and London to the beaches of Fortaleza, Brazil, and her years in Switzerland, Ella’s life reads like an atlas of resilience and discovery. She brings to every conversation a refined international grace, combined with a grounded understanding of what it means to be seen, misunderstood, and ultimately, celebrated.
At the age of 59, Ella stepped fully into her truth and began her gender transition. Her courage to do so later in life, despite societal stigma and personal doubts, makes her a shining example to all women, trans or not, that it is never too late to embrace your authentic self. Her words are full of wisdom, warmth, and often, gentle humor, as she shares her personal experiences navigating gender, self-confidence, discrimination, and the joy of finally being seen for who she is. Ella believes that the true measure of a society’s advancement lies in how it treats its women and LGBTQ+ citizens. With this guiding conviction, she has become an active advocate for equality, volunteering with the Human Rights Campaign, the National Center for Transgender Equality, and her own group, South Florida TG Social. Her activism is rooted not in anger but in hope, hope that visibility leads to understanding, and that understanding fosters change. It is my sincere pleasure to introduce Ella to you through this interview. Her femininity is graceful, her insights are powerful, and her heart is as vibrant as the coral and red tones she loves to wear. Please meet Ella Marques, a woman of the world, a woman of courage, and above all, a woman who inspires.