
(CNN Philippines) — Everyone’s favorite neighborhood will have one less character starting next season.
Sesame Street’s Sonia Manzano, who has played the role of Maria on the popular children’s show for 45 long years, has announced her retirement last Tuesday (June 30), saying she will no longer be part of the beloved show’s new season.
Manzano, now 65, broke the sad news at the American Library Association Annual Conference in San Francisco.
‘ ‘5’: ‘contentWidth’: ‘100%’ ’embedCode’: ‘
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
‘
Sesame Street, which served as Maria’s home since 1971, also made an announcement on its Facebook page, saying Manzano “will always be a part of the fabric of our neighborhood.”
Her character Maria is also remembered for being the wife of Luis (played by Emilio Delgado, who is still on the show). Their husband and wife team has a repair shop in the neighborhood called the Fix-It Shop, which specializes in toaster repair.
Aside from portraying Maria’s role, Manzano was also a part of the show’s writing team which has earned 15 Emmy awards.
‘ ’12’: ‘assetautoplay’: false ‘assetcontrols’: true ‘assetloop’: false ‘assetmuted’: false ‘assetpreload’: ‘auto’ ’embed’: ‘
Sonia Manzano has announced her retirement from Sesame Street, but she will always be a part of the fabric of our…
Posted by Sesame Street on Thursday,
Netizens, meanwhile, reacted to Manzano’s retirement by sharing their Sesame Street memories with Maria – some also expressing their gratitude for her being a part of their childhood.
‘ ’14’: ‘contentWidth’: ‘100%’ ’embedCode’: ‘
@txlibrarylady ALA equals wonderful people!
— Sonia Manzano (@SoniaMManzano) June 30, 2015
‘
@SoniaMManzano
I want to thank you for all of your work on @sesamestreet
you truly made an impact on my life growing up.— MB Mars 8 (@Mbtoon05)
June
30, 2015
YOU GUYS. Maria has retired from @sesamestreet!
So bummed! @SoniaMManzano
Thank you for everything!— Heathah Feathah (@NKCoverGrrl) June
30, 2015
Manzano replied to some tweets, asking them not to feel sad about her departure.
ADVERTISEMENT













