maribel guardia

Actress, model and singer Maribel Guardia has enjoyed more than 40 years in the limelight. A former Miss Universe contestant and winner of Miss Costa Rica in 1978, she has starred in numerous telenovelas (soap operas). She has also enjoyed a glittering music career, releasing a string of albums in the Norteño Mexican music genre.
Born in San José, Costa Rica, Guardia got her first moment in the spotlight in 1978 when she was elected Miss Costa Rica in 1978, and went on to represent her country at the Miss Universe beauty pageant the same year. Whilst competing at the pageant in Acapulco she was spotted by Televisa produced Sergio Bustamante who offered to help her develop her acting career.

The glamorous star’s move to Mexico in 1980 proved to be pivotal for her show business career, and she made her television debut the same year alongside Manuel “El Loco” Valdés. As well as starring in multiple telenovelas she launched a hugely successful music career, releasing her debut album in 1988 with Musart Records. In more recent years she has released music with Capitol Records in the United States and with EMI Televisa Music in Latin America.

Guardia has recently acted in several telenovels aimed at children, and also starred in the comedy Que Madre, Tan Padre. In 2007 Guardia was included in a book to commemorate 50 years of network television in Mexico titled Televisa Presenta, and she remains one of Latin America’s best-loved celebrities.