MarÃa Félix (April 8, 1914 - April 8, 2002) was a Mexican actress, one of the icons of the golden era of the Cinema of Mexico. She was commonly known, particularly in her later years, by the honorific La Doña.She was born MarÃa de los Ãngeles Félix Güereña in Ãlamos, Sonora, Mexico. Her father, Bernardo Félix, was of Yaqui descent. Her mother, Josefina Güereña, was of Spanish origin and was educated in a convent at Pico Heights, California.
Her beauty and flamboyant personality propelled her to international stardom and icon status. MarÃa was discovered by the businessman Fernando Palacios walking in the Mexico City's streets. Palacios presented with the filmmaker Miguel Zacarias, who would give him the opportunity of starring El Peñon de las Animas alongside Jorge Negrete.In 1943 she starred Doña Barbara, directed by Fernando de Fuentes and inspired in the novel of the venezuelan writer Romulo Gallegos), with which she achieved an impressive success throughout Latin America. De Fuentes increase her success with films like La Mujer sin Alma (1944) and La Devoradora (1946) that became MarÃa into the vamp of the Cinema of Mexico in the forties. She refused to work in Hollywood unless she made her grand entrance from the "big door" and not the small roles offered by Cecil B. de Mille Félix stated "I was not born to carry a basket". She lost the leading role of "Pearl Chavez" in the 1945 film Duel in the Sun, although it was written with her in mind, to Jennifer Jones, reportedly due to work commitments in Europe. As a result, she never achieved the fame in the USA that she achieved in Latin America and Europe.In 1946, she came under the influence of director Emilio Fernandez, with whom she made the films Enamorada (1946), RÃo Escondido (1947) and Maclovia (1948), launched her career throughout Europe.She worked in Spain in Mare Nostrum in 1948 and Sonatas directed by Juan Antonio Bardem. In France, with greats such as Jean Renoir (French Cancan,1954) and Luis Buñuel (La Fievre monte a El Pao, 1960), and played in Italian films like Mesalina (1951),alternating with stars like Rossano Brazzi, Vittorio Gassman, Jean Gabin, Françoise Arnoul, Yves Montand, Jack Palance, Fernando Rey, Francisco Rabal and others. In Mexican cinema, she was among the greatest of stars along with Pedro Armendariz and Dolores del RÃo.AgustÃn Lara wrote many songs for her, among them the famous MarÃa Bonita. It has been recorded by many singers including Plácido Domingo. Other song writers also composed songs for her, like MarÃa de Todas las MarÃas by Juan Gabriel.Félix was painted by many artists, including Diego Rivera, Leonor Fini, Leonora Carrington, Stanislao Lepri, Bridget Tichenor and Antoine Tzapoff.In fashion, she was dressed by designers like Christian Dior and Balenciaga. The House of Hermès (Couture Department) designed extravagant creations just for her.She was also a noted collector of fine antiques. She favored important pieces like her famous collection of Second Empire furniture. She was also a jewellery connoisseur and had an extensive jewelry collection, including the 41.37 carat (8.274 g), D-flawless "Ashoka" diamond. In 1968, Félix commissioned a serpent diamond necklace from Cartier Paris.ESPAÑOL:
MarÃa Félix la más deslumbrante belleza en el cine mexicano nació en Alamos, Sonora un 8 de Abril. Sus padres fueron Bernardo Félix y Josefina Güereña, el con sangre de indio yaqui, ella hija de españoles y educada en un convento en Pico Heights California. Antes de mudarse a Guadalajara la familia pasaba la vida entre Alamos y el Quiriego un rancho donde vivÃan los abuelos, allà MarÃa preferÃa jugar con sus hermanos subiendo a los árboles y montando a caballo y otras cosas que solo hacÃan los muchachos de la familia, se apartaba de los juegos de niña que con sus muñecas y comiditas practicaban sus hermanas.
MarÃa se casó cuatro veces , con Enrique Alvarez, con AgustÃn Lara, con Jorge Negrete y con Alex Berger, actualmente desde hace 16 años tiene una relación con el pintor francés Antoine Tzapoff. Vive seis meses del año en ParÃs y los otros seis en México, entre su casa de la Ciudad de México y la de Cuernavaca.
En su carrera cinematográfica MarÃa filmó 47 pelÃculas, todas con artistas de gran fama como Pedro Armendáriz, Rossano Brazzi, Dolores del RÃo, George Marchall, Yves Montand, Gerard Philipe, Vittorio Gassman, Curt Jurgens, Fernando Rey, Jack Palace, Fernando Fernán Gómez, Jorge Negrete, Carlos Thompson, Emilio Fernández y muchÃsimos más.
Ha recibido y sigue recibiendo honores, homenajes y distinciones y el cariño del pueblo de México. En 1996 Francia la condecoró con la orden de Commandeur dans I..Ordre National des Arts et des Lettres, la más alta distinción que otorga el gobierno de Francia, siendo MarÃa la primera mujer en América Latina que la recibe.
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