Maria of Sesame Street to Retire After 44 Years

The longevity of Sesame Street has seen some inevitable turnover through the years, some less controversial than others, but the latest loss will have most everyone in a nostalgic fit.

It’s been an incredible career for both Sonia and the PBS program.

While the show has yet to make an official announcement of her departure, Manzano has been actively responding to fans lamenting her exit on Twitter, reassuring them that all will still be well for Big Bird and the gang with her gone. She was a first crush, a best friend, and a baby sitter, telling stories and making everyone laugh.

The character of Maria started off as a teenager in 1974, and grew up before viewers’ eyes, going on dates and later marrying Luis (Emilio Delgado), and having a daughter, Gabi (Desiree Casado), who is now grown. Over the course of her tenure on the series as a writer and actress, Manzano has won 15 Emmys. In one episode, she even nursed her daughter and explained breastfeeding and bottle feeding. Manzano earlier last week appeared at their annual conference. She has also written a memoir, Becoming Maria: Love And Chaos In The South Bronx, about her experiences of playing Maria.