The woman who allegedly inspired the iconic character “Mama Coco” in the 2017 Disney/Pixar movie “Coco” has died at the age of 109.
According to the officials of Michoacán, Western Mexico, María Salud Ramírez Caballero was laid to rest in Santa Fe de la Laguna on Oct. 16.
"I deeply regret the death of Doña María Salud Ramírez Caballero, ‘Mamá Coco,’ a tireless woman and example of life, who was the inspiration for this beloved character who went around the world,” Michoacán, Western Mexico Tourism Secretary Roberto Monroy said in his Tweet.
Monroy did not disclose the cause of Caballero's death.
Although Disney/Pixar has not confirm if she was indeed the inspiration for the said character, the production crew visited Caballero's town and even lived alongside her family for a period of time. Caballero was said to have been photographed by the crew extensively, sparking theories that she was the inspiration for “Mama Coco”.
According to a report from The Daily Mail, the family of 109-year-old clay craftswoman worked to have her recognized as the inspiration for “Mama Coco” since the release of the Coco, but it was unsuccessful.
The movie follows a 12-year-old boy named Miguel who is accidentally transported to the Land of the Dead, where he seeks the help of his deceased musician great-great-grandfather to return him to his family among the living and to reverse his family's ban on music.
The film was praised for its animation, voice acting, music, visuals, emotional story, and respect for Mexican culture. It grossed over $807 million worldwide, becoming the 16th highest-grossing animated film ever at the time of its release.
Coco received two awards at the 90th Academy Awards, and numerous other accolades, even being chosen by the National Board of Review as the Best Animated Film of 2017.