Velda González de Modestti (April 10, 1933 â€" April 20, 2016) was a
Puerto Rican actress, dancer, comedian, politician and former Senator.
She was a member of the Senate of Puerto Rico from 1981 to 2005.Velda
González was born on April 10, 1933 in Hatillo, Puerto Rico. She
studied her elementary school in her hometown, and continued high
school in Carolina and San Juan, graduating from University High
School. González enrolled at the University of Puerto Rico where she
received a Bachelor's degree in Arts, with a Major in Spanish and
Theater. She also completed studies for a Master's degree in Puerto
Rican Studies from the Center of Advanced Studies of Puerto Rico and
the Caribbean.González began her artistic career as part of the
University of Puerto Rico ballet directed by Madame Herta Brauer. She
also distinguished herself as both an instructor and actress in
theater, television, radio, and films. She started to gain fame as
part of the cast of El colegio de la alegrÃa, with Tommy MuñÃz.
However, her most famous role was as Azucena, the maid in the comedy
sketch La criada malcriada, back in 1965. The role was so popular that
González continued doing the show for 15 years. Her namesake of
"criada" (maid in Spanish) even gave a name to a local tomato sauce
called Criada.González also served as producer of a variety show
called De fiesta con Velda at the end of the 1960s. She also performed
in several films like El último gángster, Una mujer para los
sábados, Fray Dólar, Prohibido amar en Nueva York, Romance en Puerto
Rico, and others. During her career, she won several local awards,
most notably the Agüeybanás de Oro for Distinguished Comedy Actress
of the Decade (1965â€"1975), and Comedy Actress of the Year for three
consecutive years (1969 to 1971). She was also recognized by the New
York Latin ACE Awards as Best Comedy Actress in 1971 and 1978.
Puerto Rican actress, dancer, comedian, politician and former Senator.
She was a member of the Senate of Puerto Rico from 1981 to 2005.Velda
González was born on April 10, 1933 in Hatillo, Puerto Rico. She
studied her elementary school in her hometown, and continued high
school in Carolina and San Juan, graduating from University High
School. González enrolled at the University of Puerto Rico where she
received a Bachelor's degree in Arts, with a Major in Spanish and
Theater. She also completed studies for a Master's degree in Puerto
Rican Studies from the Center of Advanced Studies of Puerto Rico and
the Caribbean.González began her artistic career as part of the
University of Puerto Rico ballet directed by Madame Herta Brauer. She
also distinguished herself as both an instructor and actress in
theater, television, radio, and films. She started to gain fame as
part of the cast of El colegio de la alegrÃa, with Tommy MuñÃz.
However, her most famous role was as Azucena, the maid in the comedy
sketch La criada malcriada, back in 1965. The role was so popular that
González continued doing the show for 15 years. Her namesake of
"criada" (maid in Spanish) even gave a name to a local tomato sauce
called Criada.González also served as producer of a variety show
called De fiesta con Velda at the end of the 1960s. She also performed
in several films like El último gángster, Una mujer para los
sábados, Fray Dólar, Prohibido amar en Nueva York, Romance en Puerto
Rico, and others. During her career, she won several local awards,
most notably the Agüeybanás de Oro for Distinguished Comedy Actress
of the Decade (1965â€"1975), and Comedy Actress of the Year for three
consecutive years (1969 to 1971). She was also recognized by the New
York Latin ACE Awards as Best Comedy Actress in 1971 and 1978.
Share this
SUBSCRIBE OUR NEWSLETTER
SUBSCRIBE OUR NEWSLETTER
Join us for free and get valuable content delivered right through your inbox.