A beloved character on the long-running PBS children’s show is leaving Sesame Street after 44 years.
Sonia Manzano has played ‘Maria’ on Sesame Street since 1971, and became the first Hispanic actress to be featured on a national TV show.
Since then, millions of young viewers have grown up watching her and pals Grover, Oscar the Grouch and Big Bird, and learning life lessons along the way. Here are some of our favorites:
Maria Taught Us About Helping Others
….And Tried to Convince Cookie Monster to Eat Right
Maria Rapped About How to Take Good Notes
….And Sang About Synonyms
‘S’ is for ‘Sharing’… Pass On This Tribute (below)