Victoria Ruffo celebrates her 63rd birthday on May 31, marking over four decades of dedication to a genre that has profoundly influenced audiovisual culture in Mexico and Latin America: the telenovela.
Through characters that have faced loss, impossible love, injustice, and redemption, Ruffo’s face has become a part of the memory of millions of households. Born in Mexico City in 1965 as María Victoria Eugenia Guadalupe Martínez del Río Moreno-Ruffo, she entered the television scene at a time when melodrama dominated screens and structured the daily routines of families.
Ruffo began her artistic career in the early 1980s with supporting roles, but it didn’t take long for her presence to shift to the center of various narratives. She starred in memorable titles such as “La fiera” (1983), “Simplemente María” (1989), “Capricho” (1993), “La madrastra” (2005), “Victoria” (2007), and “Corona de lágrimas” (2012 and its sequel in 2022). These stories often followed familiar formulas, showcasing women who suffered, endured, and often transformed over time. The intensity of her performances, particularly in emotionally charged scenes, became a visual language of this genre.
A recurring image in her career has been that of the woman who cries with wide-open eyes in front of a fixed camera, delivering lines that seek a response from the audience. This approach to conveying contained yet expressive pain has garnered significant recognition.
In recent years, social media has played a role in reinterpreting her legacy, with scenes from her telenovelas circulating as tributes or parodies. Rather than diminishing her presence, this phenomenon has expanded her reach to younger audiences who connect with the emotions captured in those moments.
Throughout her career, Ruffo has earned numerous accolades from entertainment institutions, including five awards split among the TVyNovelas Awards, Bravo Awards, and TV Adicto Golden Awards, along with eight nominations. She won her first TVyNovelas Award in 1984 for Best Young Actress for her role in “La fiera” and later received her second in 2013 for Best Leading Actress for “Corona de lágrimas.”
Despite her success, Ruffo has faced challenges in other awards, including two nominations for a People en Español Award without a win. Her personal life, including her marriage to comedian Eugenio Derbez and her current marriage to politician Omar Fayad, has also attracted public interest. Nevertheless, she has managed to maintain a professional image, steering clear of scandals.
Recently, Ruffo has continued to work on television projects such as “Cita a ciegas” (2019) and the second part of “Corona de lágrimas” (2022), showing that she remains a vital part of the television tradition for which she is well-known. With her deep connection to audiences and her influential career, Victoria Ruffo continues to be a celebrated figure in the world of telenovelas, inspiring both new and long-time fans alike.