Who Are Sarah Lahbati’s Parents Esther and Abdel Lahbati? Family Background and Their Support for the Actress

Filipino actress Sarah Lahbati’s parents, Esther Lahbati and Abdel Lahbati, have remained important figures in her personal life as she continues raising her two sons following her separation from actor Richard Gutierrez. The actress, who was born in Geneva, Switzerland, comes from a multicultural family, with a Filipino mother and a Moroccan father.

Interest in Sarah Lahbati’s family background has continued alongside recent coverage of her personal life, including speculation about her relationship with businessman Mikhail Schemm following her birthday celebrations in October 2026.

Her mother, Esther, has occasionally appeared in entertainment coverage involving the actress and her children. Her father, Abdel, has maintained a more private public profile, with fewer details available about his professional and personal activities.

Who Are Sarah Lahbati’s Parents?

Sarah Lahbati was born on October 9, 1993, in Geneva, Switzerland, to Esther and Abdel Lahbati.

Her mother, Esther, is Filipino, while her father, Abdel, is of Moroccan origin. Their different cultural backgrounds form an important part of the actress’s family history.

Lahbati spent part of her early life in Switzerland before establishing her career in the Philippine entertainment industry.

Her international upbringing has remained a recognizable part of her public identity. She has worked primarily in the Philippines while maintaining connections to her family’s European background.

Although her parents have been mentioned in interviews and entertainment reports, they have generally remained outside the television and film industry.

Esther Lahbati Publicly Supported Her Daughter During Marriage Troubles

Esther Lahbati became a prominent figure in entertainment coverage in December 2023 as reports emerged about Sarah’s marital problems with Richard Gutierrez.

On December 22, Esther shared photographs from a restaurant gathering attended by Sarah, Abdel, actress Sofia Andres and other family members.

In the comments, Esther expressed support for her daughter.

“We Love you so much Anak. No one can hurt you! I am ready to stand for you. Being a human being i respect everyone’s rights.”

Sarah replied, “I love you mama.”

The exchange came during a period of public speculation about Sarah and Richard’s marriage. Neither had formally confirmed their separation at that point.

Esther’s comments attracted attention because Richard’s mother, actress and talent manager Annabelle Rama, had also been speaking publicly about her son’s family circumstances.

Abdel Lahbati Shared a Family Message

Sarah’s father, Abdel Lahbati, also attracted attention during the family controversy.

On December 8, 2023, Abdel posted a photograph showing himself with Esther, Sarah and his grandsons, Zion and Kai, at a restaurant.

His caption referred to spending time with family and included the phrase “don’t mind dogs barking.”

Some social media users interpreted the message as a response to comments surrounding Sarah’s marriage.

However, Abdel did not identify a specific person as the subject of his remarks.

The photograph showed that Sarah and her children were spending time with her parents while questions about her marriage continued circulating publicly.

Esther and Abdel Lahbati Visited the Department of Justice

Another development involving Sarah’s parents emerged in February 2024.

On February 29, Esther posted a photograph of herself and Abdel outside the Department of Justice building on Taft Avenue in Manila.

The photograph prompted speculation about whether the couple was preparing to pursue legal action.

Esther indicated that the picture had been taken earlier and was only being shared at that time.

She did not immediately explain the legal matter behind the photograph.

In March 2024, television personality Cristy Fermin publicly confirmed that Esther and Abdel had filed a cyberlibel complaint against her and two of her program colleagues.

Fermin discussed the complaint during an episode of the entertainment commentary program Showbiz Now Na.

She also said that she and Esther had attended proceedings connected with the complaint at the Quezon City prosecutor’s office.

The case was separate from Sarah and Richard’s marital proceedings. The available reporting does not establish a final legal outcome for the cyberlibel complaint.

Sarah Lahbati’s Parents Have Joined Family Trips to Switzerland

Esther and Abdel have also appeared in coverage of family vacations with Sarah and her children.

In 2021, Sarah and Richard traveled to Switzerland with their sons, Zion and Kai.

Esther and Abdel joined the family during the trip.

Photographs from the vacation showed the family visiting several Swiss destinations, including St. Moritz, Lausanne, Interlaken and the area around Lake Brienz.

The trip also included a visit to the Lindt Home of Chocolate.

Switzerland holds particular significance for the Lahbati family because Sarah was born in Geneva and spent part of her childhood there.

The vacation offered a public look at the relationship between Sarah’s parents, her children and Richard before the couple’s separation became public.

Sarah Lahbati’s Children and Family Life

Sarah Lahbati and Richard Gutierrez have two children together.

Their eldest son, Zion, was born on April 29, 2013. Their younger son, Kai, was born on March 21, 2018.

Sarah and Richard married on March 14, 2020, in Taguig City.

Their relationship later faced difficulties, with reports about their separation emerging toward the end of 2023.

Sarah publicly confirmed the separation on March 1, 2024.

She explained that both parents remained involved in raising their children.

During an interview about their family situation, Sarah said:

“It’s not easy on any child but I’m here for them and they’re better.”

Her parents continued appearing in family photographs during this period, including images from a New Year trip to Bohol.

In January 2025, Richard confirmed that annulment proceedings concerning their marriage were underway.

Sarah Lahbati’s Early Life and Entertainment Career

Sarah Lahbati’s family background is closely connected with her early life in Switzerland and her later move to the Philippines.

Born in Geneva, she began her education in Switzerland before studying in the Philippines.

Her career gained national attention when she participated in the fifth season of StarStruck, the reality talent competition broadcast by GMA Network.

She became the competition’s Ultimate Female Survivor, while Steven Silva won the male category.

The victory helped establish her career in Philippine television.

She subsequently appeared in productions including Koreana, Time of My Life and Little Star.

Her acting career later expanded into film and other entertainment projects.

Although Sarah became a familiar television personality, Esther and Abdel did not pursue comparable public entertainment careers.

Their appearances in the media have largely concerned family gatherings, social media posts and developments involving their daughter.

What Is Known About Esther and Abdel Lahbati Today?

Esther Lahbati remains the more publicly visible of Sarah’s two parents, particularly through social media activity and past statements involving family matters.

Abdel Lahbati has appeared in photographs with his wife, daughter and grandchildren, but relatively little verified information is available about his occupation, age or current business activities.

The family has also maintained connections with Switzerland, where Sarah was born and where Esther has previously discussed her personal background.

As of October 12, 2026, no independently verified new public statement from Esther or Abdel concerning Sarah’s recently reported relationship with Mikhail Schemm has been established.

Their most extensively documented public involvement in Sarah’s personal affairs remains the period surrounding her separation from Richard Gutierrez and the legal complaint they pursued in 2024.