Redefining the limelight: Discovering the 5 most significant Mexican City natives who left an indelible mark on history (Pt. 2)

In the vibrant world of Mexican art and culture, several figures have left an indelible mark, defying norms and challenging societal constraints. Among these trailblazers are Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, El Santo, and Eugenio Derbez.

Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, born illegitimate in 1648 or 1651, was a prolific writer and intellectual whose brilliance was recognized at a young age. She proved her intellectual prowess in a public debate at the viceroy's court as a teenager, a feat unheard of for a woman at the time. However, she was pressured to renounce her studies and even sold her beloved library. Despite these setbacks, she devoted herself to charity during a plague outbreak at the end of her life.

Her defiance of conservative norms extended to her personal life, as she rejected marriage and joined a convent, where her cell became a literary salon. She posed nude for renowned artists and created provocative self-portraits, a bold move for a respectable woman. As a result, she was a scandalous figure in Mexican art and culture, known for her unapologetic sensuality.

El Santo, born Rodolfo Guzman Huerta, was Mexico's first legendary masked wrestler. He achieved fame through his wrestling matches and films, building an enduring mystique and cultural symbol. His funeral in 1984 was unprecedented, with 10,000 mourners and traffic in Mexico City grinding to a halt as his masked body was interred. Contrary to some rumours, there is no credible information linking any person to causing his death; El Santo died of natural causes.

El Santo maintained his masked identity at all times, adding to his enigmatic allure. His double life extended beyond the ring, as he lived between Mexico and New York City. However, he was infamous for his chronic unreliability, a trait that was both admired and criticized by his fans.

Eugenio Derbez, born in 1961, is a comedian, actor, and producer known for his vibrant characters and advocacy for greater Latino representation in media. He achieved fame through hit television comedies and films, and in 2013, he wrote, directed, and starred in "Instructions Not Included," the highest-grossing Spanish-language film ever released in North America.

Derbez's personal life has been marked by controversy. In 1992, he caused feelings of betrayal and family rifts with a symbolic fake wedding with actress Victoria Ruffo. Miguel Covarrubias, an artist and anthropologist born in 1904, also led a magnetic double life, living between Mexico and New York City. He was known for his bold, colorful art that fused modern styles with Mexican indigenous themes.

However, Covarrubias endured intense workplace bullying for years and was painfully shy before making it big. His marriage to dancer and photographer Rosa Rolanda became strained over his political activism. Despite these challenges, Covarrubias became a feminist icon, Nahui Olin, born in 1893, who challenged church misogyny and male hypocrisy through her writing.

Each of these figures, in their own way, defied societal norms and left a lasting impact on Mexican art and culture. Their lives serve as a testament to the power of individuality and the importance of challenging the status quo.

Redefining the limelight: Discovering the 5 most significant Mexican City natives who left an indelible mark on history (Pt. 2)