Amazing Woman Who Inspired Mama Coco in Pixar Film Has Passed Away at the Age of 109
it is with a heavy heart that we here at MickeyBlog share the news that Maria Salud Ramirez Caballero, the inspiration behind the character Mama Coco from Pixar’s 2017 film Coco has passed away at the age of 109.
The news of Maria’s passing was announced by the Secretary of Tourism for the Mexican state of Michoacan on Sunday. No cause of death was given.
Caballero passed away in Santa Fe de la Laguna where she was born over a century ago. The statement released by the Tourism Office states, : ‘I am deeply saddened by the passing of Maria Salud Ramirez Caballero, “Mama Coco”, a tireless woman and example of life, who was the inspiration for this beloved character that went around the world.”
According to a recent piece in the Daily Mail, Caballero was given the nickname ‘Mama Coco’ after the character she had inspired in the animated film.
You can see a touching moment from the film Coco below featuring the character inspired by Caballero. She was voiced by Ana Ofelia Murguía in the film.
Though Disney has never publicly acknowledged that Caballero is the inspiration for the character in the film, the family has said that a team from Pixar visited their area during the film’s development. Her family also says that Pixar creatives spent a lot of time photographing Caballero and even stayed with her and her family.
Caballero was a potter who made clay pots and other items to sell to locals. She is survived by three children, many grandchildren and several great grandchildren.
Our deepest condolences go our to Maria’s friends and family at this sad time.
Source: Daily Mail
