The renowned Spanish ventriloquist, María del Carmen Martínez-Villaseñor Barrasa, better known as ‘Mari Carmen and her dolls’, died at the age of 80 in a tragic accident in Tenerife. Her body was found lifeless near her home, the victim of an accidental fall down the stairs.
Mari Carmen began her career on television in 1967, with her first appearance on the Saturday Night program. Her talent and charisma brought her to fame, gaining popularity with her puppet shows alongside her dolls Doña Rogelia, Daisy, Nícol and Rodolfo. She also ventured into the cinema in 1971 in the film La graduada by Mariano Ozores, sharing the scene with renowned actors such as Lina Morgan and Florinda Chico. In later decades, she collaborated in prominent programs such as Las siete y media musical with Luis del Olmo, and participated in successful programs such as ¡Señoras y señores!, Aplauso and Sábado noche. In addition, she hosted her own shows such as Five Star Humor and Ay, my life, and she presented the program El tren together with Pepe Sancho and María Jiménez.
Despite her success in show business, Mari Carmen kept her personal life private. In addition to her talent in theater and performing arts, she has also found success with musical compositions performed by successful groups in past decades, such as Menudo and Timbiriche.
On May 4, Mari Carmen celebrated her 80th birthday. As for her sentimental life, she was married to Manuel Almanzor in 1980 and they had a son named Miguel. Although the couple broke up when the child was young, they tried to give each other a second chance years later, but their relationship did not prosper and they separated again after four years.
In an interview for ‘El Mundo’, ‘Mari Carmen and her dolls’ revealed details about her romance with José Luis Moreno. The ventriloquist confessed that they were “boyfriends” in her youth and that they had a close relationship over the years. Mari Carmen highlighted the positive influence that Moreno had on his career, mentioning that thanks to his collaboration in numerous programs, they managed to increase audiences and obtain economic success.
The arrest of José Luis Moreno affected Mari Carmen, who expressed her dismay and surprise at the unexpected events. Despite the difficulties Moreno faced in her life, the ventriloquist recognized his talent and wished him well, hoping she would reflect on his actions. Her words during the interview made it possible to appreciate the importance of her friendship with Moreno.
In 2013, Mari Carmen participated in the successful series La que se avecina, created by the nephews of José Luis Moreno, playing her own role in a memorable episode. In this episode, the characters from Los leones de Montepinar take over Max’s bar
In her last years, Mari Carmen decided to settle in Puerto de la Cruz, on the island of Tenerife, where she lived until the tragic event that ended her life at the age of 80. On June 15, 2023, the artist suffered a fatal fall, leaving an indelible legacy in show business.
