Delia Fiallo, best known as ‘the mother of telenovela’, dies aged 96

Cuban telenovela writer Delia Fiallo has died (Picture: AFP via Getty Images)

Legendary screenwriter Delia Fiallo has died at the age of 96, it has been confirmed. 

Fiallo, widely regarded as ‘the mother of the Latin American telenovela’, died at her home in Coral Gables, Florida on Tuesday. 

The news was confirmed to the AP by Fiallo’s carer, Blanca, just five days before she was due to celebrate her 97th birthday. 

A cause of death was not given but Blanca confirmed that the author was surrounded by her family. 

One of Fiallo’s sons also told the Televisa channel: ‘She died in peace and surrounded by her loved ones.’ 

Fiallo, born in Cuba, rose to fame with soap operas such as Cristal, Esmerelda, Topacio and El Privilegio de Amar, all of which enjoyed international success in the 70s and 80s and establishing the writer as a telenovela icon.

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