# María Isabel (1997 TV series)

María Isabel (Spanish pronunciation:) is a Mexican telenovela produced by Carla Estrada for Televisa. It aired on Canal de las Estrellas from August 4, 1997 to February 6, 1998. María Isabel, is one of the few telenovelas that focuses on the life of an indigenous female protagonist and her community. The story was written by Yolanda Vargas Dulché and adapted by René Muñoz.
The series stars Adela Noriega, Fernando Carrillo, Lorena Herrera and Rafael Rojas.

## Plot

María Isabel is a beautiful, kind-hearted young woman of indigenous descent, faced with the responsibility of raising Rosa Isela, the orphaned daughter of her only true friend who has died.
She finds employment at the home of Ricardo Mendiola, a wealthy widower, and his young daughter, Gloria. Ricardo's kindness and decency cause Maria Isabel to fall in love with him, though she keeps it a secret for many years.
Gloria, however, influences Rosa Isela to feel ashamed of her "Indian" mother; the ungrateful child abandons Maria Isabel to live with her wealthy grandfather, without even a word of thanks.
At last Ricardo, realizing that he is in love with her, asks Maria Isabel to be his wife. But their bliss is short-lived, and the couple will have many challenges ahead before they can find the happiness they have struggled all their lives to achieve.

## Cast

* Adela Noriega as María Isabel Sanchez
* Fernando Carrillo as Ricardo Mendiola Zúñiga
* Lorena Herrera as Lucrecia Fontaner Hernández
* Rafael Rojas as Rigoberto
* Jorge Vargas as Don Félix Pereyra
* Patricia Reyes Spíndola as Manuela Rojas López
* Lilia Aragón as Rosaura Méndez Larrea
* Mónica Miguel as Chona
* José Carlos Ruiz as Pedro
* Alejandro Aragón as Leobardo Rangel
* Raúl Araiza as Andrés
* Emoé de la Parra as Déborah Serrano
* Juan Felipe Preciado as Rómulo Altamirano
* Rodrigo Vidal as Gilberto
* Roberto Ballesteros as Armando Noguera
* Jorge Salinas as Rubén
* Polo Ortín as Ministerio Vilchis
* Guillermo Aguilar as Dr. Rivas
* Isabel Martínez "La Tarabilla" as Chole
* Javier Herranz as José Luis
* Angelina Peláez as Micaela
* Ilse as Graciela Pereyra
* Charlie as Nicolás
* Susana González as Elisa de Mendiola
* Valentino Lanús as Antonio Altamirano
* Sabine Moussier as Mireya Serrano
* Omar Alexander as Anselmo
* Ángeles Balvanera as Panchita
* Eduardo Benfato as Filiberto
* Paty Bolaños as Abundia de Altamirano
* Marcelo Buquet as Cristóbal
* Julio Monterde as Dr. Carmona
* Fátima Torre as María Isabel (child)
* Naydelin Navarrete as Graciela Pereyra (child)/Rosa Isela (10 years old)
* Ximena Sariñana as Rosa Isela (13 years old)
* Paola Otero as Gloria Mendiola
* Violeta Isfel as Gloria Mendiola (10 years old)
* Andrea Lagunes as Gloria Mediola (6 years old)
* Natalia Juárez as Rosa Isela (baby)
* Ana Luisa Peluffo as Iris
* Enrique Rojo as Andrés
* Bertha Moss as Eugenia
* Yadhira Carrillo as Josefina
* Sergio Basañez as Gabriel
* Abraham Ramos as Ramón
* Aurora Clavel as Amargura
* Guillermo Rivas as Father Salvador
* Patricia Martínez as Matilde
* Tania Vázquez as Sonia
* Carlos López Estrada as Pedrito
* Magda Guzmán as Director
* Andrea Torre as Gloria's friend
* Ernesto Laguardia as Luis Torres

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
| 1998 | 16th TVyNovelas Awards | Best Leading Actress | Patricia Reyes Spíndola | Nominated |
| 1998 | 16th TVyNovelas Awards | Best Supporting Actor | José Carlos Ruiz | Won |
| 1998 | 16th TVyNovelas Awards | Best Young Lead Actress | Adela Noriega | Won |
| 1998 | 16th TVyNovelas Awards | Best Young Lead Actor | Fernando Carrillo | Nominated |
| 1998 | Latin ACE Awards | Female Figure of the Year | Adela Noriega | Nominated |
| 1998 | Latin ACE Awards | Male Figure of the Year | Fernando Carrillo | Nominated |
| 1998 | Eres Awards | Best Telenovela | Carla Estrada | Won |
| 1998 | Eres Awards | Best Young Lead Actress | Adela Noriega | Nominated |
| 1998 | Eres Awards | Best Young Lead Actor | Fernando Carrillo | Won |
| 1998 | Eres Awards | Best Musical Theme | "Si tú supieras" by Alejandro Fernández | Won |