María Elena Velasco, better known as pioneering Mexican actress "La India Maria," dies Friday at the age of 74. Velasco had been battling stomach cancer, though the cause of death hasn't been release.
Born in Puebla, Mexico in 1940, Velasco often drew on her upbringing for her iconic "India Maria" persona, one perennially dressed in colorful blouses and skits with her hair in braids. She portrayed a stereotypical indigenous Mexican woman who comically rain into big city problems. The actual character came after playing "Petra" in lesser known movies "Los Derechos de los Hijos" and "México de Mis Recuerdos."
Her first appearance as "La India Maria" came in the 1968 film "El Bastardo."
Velasco appeared in approximately 23 films and three television series. Nearly all of the movies came at the height of her popularity, between 1974 and 1988. Her last appearance was in the slapstick adventure-comedy "La Hija del Montezuma" which saw India Maria save Mexico from destruction. It marked Velasco's return to the big screen after a 15-year absence.
Velasco did for Mexican entertainers what Lucille Ball did for women in American comedy. She wrote several feature films, took the directorial chair "Okay, mister Pancho," and starred in spinoff series' based on the success of her memorable character.
Her contributions to Mexican actresses is not lost today. Fans from all over the world have flooded Twitter with memories of "La India Maria," reminiscing on her role in their childhood.
Velasco is survived by her three children Ivan, Ivette, and Goretti.