Sesame Street OG Sonia Manzano retired from the children’s educational show after 45 years of playing the iconic role of Maria. But just how did a Latina coming up in the South Bronx during the decaying 60s end up on the kids comedy?
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In her new book “Becoming Maria,” the Boricua chronicles her tumultuous upbringing while examining her rise to success. “There was domestic violence, there was alcoholism, there was upheaval all the time,” she told Latina in the clip below. “Still, I managed to have this sense of humor and end up on this comedy show.”
While Sesame Street makes a new home at HBO, Manzano will continue to pursue other passions in her retirement. For more information about her memoir, visit Scholastic.com.
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