Maria Salud Ramirez Caballero- the lady who inspired the main character in the movie 'Coco' passed away at 109

New Delhi: Maria Salud Ramirez Caballero, the woman who is considered to be the inspiration behind Disney Pixar’s ‘Mama Coco’, passed away. Caballero died in Santa Fe de la Laguna, the same place where she was born.

Caballero was a 109-year ceramic potter who used to live with her three children, grandkids and great-grandkids.

The secretary of Tourism for the Mexican state of Michoacan, Roberto Monroy took to Twitter on 16th announcing the sad demise of the old lady. In her post, she wrote “I deeply regret the death of Dona Maria Salud Ramirez Caballero, ‘Mama Coco’, a tireless woman and example of life.’ In her post, Monroy referred to her as Mama Coco. Furthermore, she said, “who was the inspiration for this beloved character who went around the world.”

Disney’s Pixar movie which was released in 2017 tells the story of a 12-year-young boy Miguel who ends up in a mystical place after strumming his ancestor’s guitar. The place where he lands was mystical and colourful but it was the land of the dead. After reaching the place, he meets his deceased great-great-grandfather.

Mama Coco who is believed to have been inspired by Maria Salud Ramirez Caballero is Miguel’s great-grandmother whose character has been voiced by actress Ana Ofelia Murguia. Other actors who have done voiceovers in the animated movie include Gael Garcia Bernal, Anthony Gonzales, Alanna Ubach, Benjamin Bratt, and Edward James Olmos.

While Disney never really made an official statement that the character of Mama Coco is inspired by Caballero, the character does share a striking resemblance with her. But Disney did share that they spoke to some families in the area where Caballero lived.