Fun Facts About Mexico

DID YOU KNOW…
The Mexican painter Frida Kahlo was "re-discovered" by the historian and writer Haydeen Herrera. In 1983, in the United States, Haydeen Herrera published a book called "Frida: A Biography of Frida Kahlo". Like Eva Duarte de Peron (ex-First Lady of Argentina), Frida Kahlo is one of the most famous women in the world since 1983.

DID YOU KNOW…
Between 1940 and 1958, Mexico became the centre of the international film industry. Great stars of the golden era of the cinematography of Mexico included Jorge Negrete, who was famous as a gentleman, and the actress Dolores del Rio. The great actor, Pedro Infante, also started his career in the golden era of the cinema of Mexico. The most popular film of 1942, "El Peñon de las Animas", starring María Félix and Jorge Negrete, was one of the most successful films in Mexico and Latin America. However, films critics often choose the 1975 film "Letters from Marusia", as the best film ever.

DID YOU KNOW…
The 1990 Nobel Prize for Literature was awarded to Octavio Paz, a novelist and essayist. He was the fifth Latin-American to receive the prize.Octavio Paz was the literary patriarch of Mexico.

DID YOU KNOW…
Gael García Bernal is probably the most popular Latin-American actor since 1959. He has been called "The Latin James Dean". However, he does not see himself as a "sex symbol".Gael said to the media in Beverly Hills, California, "There thousands of "Latin James Deans".There are always going to be new "Marlon Brandos" and new "James Deans". That’s why the statement no longer has any importance. Besides, I feel that James Dean’s movies are totally different from mine. And, well, to begin with, I don’t have enough money to buy a Porsche…"

Gael García Bernal was born on November 30, 1978, in Guadalajara, Jalisco (Mexico), the son of Jose Angel and Patricia Bernal de García. He once said: "I spent a lot of time with my parents. They did not have anyone at home to take care of me, so I had to go everywhere with them. I traveled a lot in Mexico and also to Cuba. I was a lot of fun".

His movie credits include: "Love’s a Bitch" (2000), "The Crime of Father Amaro" (2002), "And your Mother Too" (2001), "I´m with Lucy" (2002), "Dot the I" (2003), "Dreaming of Julia" (2003), "Bad Education" (2004), "The Motorcycle Diaries" (2004), "The King" ( 2005), "Babel" (2006), and "The Science of Sleep" (2006).

In addition to Spanish, Gael speaks English, French and Italian.

DID YOU KNOW…
The Mexican people have many idols: María Félix (actress), Frida Kahlo (painter), Mario Moreno( best known as "Cantinflas"), Rufino Tamayo (painter), Diego Rivera (painter), Agustin Lara (composer), Carlos Fuentes (writer), Thalia (singer), Juan Gabriel (composer and singer), Jorge Negrete (actor), Pedro Infante (actor) and Lucía Méndez (actress).

DID YOU KNOW…
On November 26, 1985, Rodolfo Neri Vela. was the second Latin- American astronaut to fly in space. He was ready for his first space mission in 1985 aboard the space shuttle Atlantis. Rodolfo was born on February 19, 1952, in Chilpancingo, Mexico.

DID YOU KNOW…
María Félix was an actress who starred in popular Mexican films such as "El Peñon de las Animas", "La China Poblana", "Doña Barbara" and "La Generala".Undoubtebly the most beautiful actress in the history. María de los Ángeles Félix Güereña, always called "La doña" or María Félix, was born on April 8, 1914, in Alamos, Sonora (Mexico). She died on April 8, 2000, in Mexico City. Certainly, she was an international celebrity.

She was long considered one of the most beautiful women in the 20th century; arguably, one of the best actresses in Latin America, Spain, Italy and France.If she had spoken English very well, María Félix will be remembered as the best actress of the world.

Different from María Montez and Rita Moreno, María Félix did not accept small roles in Hollywood. She once said: "I was not born to carry a basket".Like Pele (Brazilian ex-footballer player) and Carlos Gardel (Argentinian singer), María Félix is a symbol in Latin America.

DID YOU KNOW…
Mexico has had many famous athletes in the past century: Joaquín Capilla (diving), Hugo Sánchez (soccer), Humberto Mariles (equestrian), Felipe Muñoz (swimming), Raúl Ramírez (tennis), Rafael Osuna (tennis), Daniel Bautista (track and field) and Olegario Vázquez (shooting).

DID YOU KNOW…
Elsa Benítez is a supermodel from Mexico. She was born on December 8, 1977, in Hermosillo, Sonora (Mexico). Ironically, she looks like European supermodel. Like Alek Wek (Sudan) and Fernanda Tavares (Brazil), she works in the United States and Europe. Elsa Benítez was the cover girl for Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue 2001.