Sonia Manzano Retiring After 44 Years As Maria On ‘Sesame Street’

Sonia Manzano, known as Maria on Sesame Street, is retiring from the beloved children’s show after over forty years on the program.

Sonia Manzano Announces Retirement, Maria Is Leaving Sesame Street

Manzano announced she would be leaving the children’s educational program at the American Library Association Annual Conference in San Francisco on Monday, June 29. The actress and author starred as Maria on Sesame Street for 44 years, and began when she was barely an adult.

After 45 years on Sesame Street, @SoniaMManzano will no longer appear on the next season. #alaac15 pic.twitter.com/Jiz7tn9dAI

— American Libraries (@amlibraries) June 29, 2015

On the show, Manzano helped keep Sesame Street residents, Elmo and Oscar the Grouch safe, taught them Spanish and also helped teach the children’s audience about marriage and parenthood, as her character became a wife, mother and Fix-It Shop owner over the years.

“Sonia Manzano has announced her retirement from Sesame Street, but she will always be a part of the fabric of our neighborhood. During her 44-year career as the iconic ‘Maria,’ and the first leading Latina woman on television, she was a role model for young girls and women for generations. Sonia’s talents on Sesame Street extend beyond her groundbreaking role on camera; she also earned 15 Emmy awards as a member of Sesame Street’s writing team. We’ll always be grateful for her many years on Sesame Street as a champion of diversity and helping millions of kids grow up smarter, stronger and kinder,” said Sesame Workshop in a statement.

Manzano, who has often praised Sesame Street for it’s mission to present diversity onscreen and inspired many as one of the first leading Latina actresses on television, has not announced what she plans to do next, but she has not ruled out returning to Sesame Street in the future. When a fan noted that they would be sad not to see her at Sesame Street’s upcoming 50th Anniversary – the show recently celebrated 45 years on the air – Manzano said she would definitely consider returning for the special anniversary. “Maybe I’ll go back for 50th anniversary and make a guest appearance!” she wrote.

@cahuenga23 Maybe I’ll go back for 50th anniversary and make a guest appearance! Gracias!

— Sonia Manzano (@SoniaMManzano) July 1, 2015

It’s unclear when, exactly, Manzano’s final goodbye to Sesame Street will air, or whether or not it has already occurred. However, fans who will miss Manzano can learn more about her and the story behind her character, Maria, in her new book, Becoming Maria: Love and Chaos in the South Bronx, which will hit bookshelves on Aug. 25, 2015.

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