Some kinds of strength don’t look good in pictures. It doesn’t get seen at award shows or in videos from behind the scenes. The sound of it can be heard in hospital waiting rooms, in the background, and in the way people hold themselves when they’re carrying something heavy and don’t want it to show. Mally Roncal, who is one of the biggest names in celebrity makeup, found that kind of strength to be very important.
It was Mally’s job to make people look good, from Beyoncé on stage to regular women watching QVC at home. In the best way possible, I love how loud she is. She’s friendly, funny, and genuinely interested in beauty and how it can make people feel better about themselves. But there’s a calmer part of the story that lies beneath all that chaos and color. One is about her husband, Phil Bickett, and a sickness she has mostly kept secret from the public.
Phil Bickett has been Mally’s partner and rock for many years. He is a photographer who used to be a model. There are many signs that their relationship is real and not a show. She’s called him her “safe place” and “forever teammate” in real-life social media posts. He was there before anyone thought of Mally Beauty. He’s been a big part of what his wife did to make something from nothing into a well-known brand, both near and far. It’s clear that Mally knows how important that kind of deal is.
The specifics of Phil’s health issues have never been made public. That’s their choice, of course. At times, Mally has been careless and let slip enough—a caption here, a comment there—to show that this hasn’t been easy. She wrote on Instagram that her sick husband had lost a lot of weight and that it hurt to have people stare at his body without understanding what he was going through. It’s the kind of detail that changes the way you think after reading it. There’s no doubt. It’s true.
They may not have told anyone about Phil’s illness to keep him, their three daughters, and the close family unit they’ve worked hard to keep together safe. Sophie, Pilar, and Vivienne saw their mother work her way to the top of a field based on looks. It seemed like their parents worked just as hard to make their home based on something more lasting. Keep that safe.
Mally has also had health issues in the past. Paly, Mally’s mother, was told she only had six months to live when she was only six months old and learned she had breast cancer. She beat the odds and lived for many years, long enough to help her daughter become the person she is today. Mally was strong after that event changed her in a deep, clear way. Being beautiful isn’t a waste of time; it’s an important part of living a full life. That’s why her brand has never felt like a business but rather a personal one.
The way Mally has handled this—with class, without drawing attention to herself, and without using her sadness as an excuse—says more about her than any makeup tutorial. She seems to understand what it means to be there for someone and the world at the same time better than most people. That’s what her mom taught her. It’s stronger now that life has passed.
It makes sense for someone like Phil Bickett, who does their best work behind the camera to stay out of the public eye. It’s still not clear how his health will change in the future. But it’s clear that they’ve been through it together, quietly and stubbornly, like people do when they’ve protected something important.
Mally has always said that there’s more to beauty than what you see. This could be the most honest proof of that.
FAQs
1. Has Mally Roncal publicly confirmed her husband’s illness?
No, Mally has kept Phil Bickett’s specific health details strictly private.
2. Who is Phil Bickett?
He is Mally Roncal’s husband, a photographer and former model.
3. How did Mally hint at Phil’s illness publicly?
She referenced his significant weight loss in an unguarded Instagram post.
4. How many children do Mally Roncal and Phil Bickett have?
They have three daughters — Pilar Elizabeth, Sophie Grace, and Vivienne.
5. Has Mally Roncal personally dealt with any health conditions?
Yes, she has publicly discussed her diagnosis of alopecia areata.