María Isabel (1997 TV series)


María Isabel is a Mexican telenovela produced by Carla Estrada for Televisa in 1997. María Isabel, is one of the few telenovelas that focuses on the life of an indigenous female protagonist and her community. The story was written by Yolanda Vargas Dulché and adapted by René Muñoz.
On August 4, 1997, Canal de las Estrellas started broadcasting María Isabel weekdays at 9:00pm, replacing La Jaula de Oro. The last episode was broadcast on January 23, 1998 with La Usurpadora replacing it the following day.
Adela Noriega and Fernando Carrillo starred as protagonists, while Patricia Reyes Spíndola, Emoé de la Parra and Jorge Vargas starred as antagonists.

Plot

María Isabel, is a beautiful, kind-hearted young woman of indigenous descent, faced with the responsibility of raising Rosa Isela, the orphaned daughter of her only true friend who has died.
She finds employment at the home of Ricardo Mendiola, a wealthy widower, and his young daughter, Gloria. Ricardo’s kindness and decency cause Maria Isabel to fall in love with him, though she keeps it a secret for many years.
Gloria, however, influences Rosa Isela to feel ashamed of her "Indian" mother; the ungrateful child abandons Maria Isabel to live with her wealthy grandfather, without even a word of thanks.
At last Ricardo, realizing that he is in love with her, asks Maria Isabel to be his wife. But their bliss is short-lived, and the couple will have many challenges ahead before they can find the happiness they have struggled all their lives to achieve.

Cast

International Broadcasters of María Isabel

;North & South America, Caribbean, Europe
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