Who Is Dolores del Río? Age, Biography and Wiki
Born on August 3, 1904, Dolores del Río was a celebrated Mexican actress whose mesmerizing on-screen presence captivated audiences from the silent film era into the golden age of Hollywood. Her influential career spanned several decades until her passing in 1983. By 2025, Dolores del Río would have celebrated her 121st birthday if she were still alive. Known for her stunning beauty and elegance, she played pivotal roles in major films, helping to bridge cultures between Mexico and the United States.
| Occupation | Stage Actress |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | August 3, 1904 |
| Age | 78 Years |
| Birth Place | Victoria de Durango, Durango, Mexico |
| Horoscope | Leo |
| Country | Mexico |
| Date of death | 11 April, 1983 |
| Died Place | Newport Beach, California, U.S. |
Popularity
Dolores del Río's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Dolores del Río was renowned not only for her immense talent but also for her striking physical appearance. During her prime, she stood at approximately 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm) tall and had a weight that fluctuated around 110-120 pounds (50-54 kg). While exact measurements may not be documented, she was known for her graceful physique, taking inspiration from the beauty standards of her time.
Del Río always projected a special elegance with her beauty, more than just a ‘Latin bombshell’ such as other actresses like Lupe Vélez. Del Rio's intrinsic elegance was apparent even off-screen. Del Río strongly identified with her Mexican heritage despite her growing fame and her transition to ‘modernity’.
She also felt strongly about being able to play Mexican roles and bemoaned the fact that she was not cast in them. She never relinquished her Mexican citizenship and said in 1929 (at the height of her popularity) that she wanted "to play a Mexican woman and show what life in Mexico really is. No one has shown the artistic side – nor the social".
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Given her iconic status, many fans often wonder about Dolores del Río's personal life. Throughout her career, she was romantically linked to several high-profile figures, including director Edwin Carewe, whom she married in 1930. The couple divorced in 1934. Del Río also had a notable relationship with fellow actor and producer, Orson Welles. While there was much speculation about her relationships, she remained private about her dating life after her early marriages. As of 2025, any updates on her family life remain part of her cherished legacy rather than material that can change.
Her parents were members of the Mexican aristocracy that existed during the Porfiriato (period in the history of Mexico when the dictator Porfirio Díaz was the president).
On her mother's side, she was a cousin of the filmmaker Julio Bracho and of actors Ramón Novarro (one of the ‘Latin Lovers’ of the silent cinema) and Andrea Palma (another prominent actress of the Mexican cinema).
On her father's side, she was a cousin of the Mexican sculptor Ignacio Asúnsolo and the social activist and model María Asúnsolo. Additionally, she was the aunt of the actress Diana Bracho.
Net Worth and Salary
During her lifetime, Dolores del Río achieved considerable fame and success, making her one of the highest-paid actresses of her era. By the time of her passing, her estimated net worth was around $10 million. Though it is difficult to calculate the exact valuation of her legacy in 2025, her contribution to film and culture ensures that her estate continues to hold significant value, showcasing her lasting impact on the entertainment industry.
In New York, following the successful premiere of Evangeline, and upon recommendation of the firm's lawyers, del Río declared to the reporters: "Mr. Carewe and I are just friends and companions in the art of the cinema. I will not marry Mr. Carewe." Eventually, she canceled her contract with him.
Furious, Carewe filed criminal charges against del Río alleging breach of contract. Advised by United Artists lawyers, del Río reached an agreement with Carewe out of court, paying compensation. In spite of this settlement, Carewe started a campaign against her.
In order to eclipse her, he filmed a new sound version of Resurrection starring Lupe Vélez, another popular Mexican film star and with whom the public assumed that del Río had a rivalry.
Career, Business, and Investments
Dolores del Río’s career began in the 1920s when she turned heads with her performances in films like The Loved Stranger and Flying Down to Rio. As a pioneer of Latin American talent in Hollywood, she not only starred in films but also invested in the art of filmmaking. Over her career, she transitioned from silent films to talkies, demonstrating versatility that has inspired generations of actors. Her business ventures included collaborations and investments in various artistic endeavors, highlighting her creative spirit and entrepreneurial mind.
María de los Dolores Asúnsolo y López Negrete (3 August 1904 – 11 April 1983), known professionally as Dolores del Río, was a Mexican actress. With a career spanning more than 50 years, she is regarded as the first major female Latin American crossover star in Hollywood.
Along with a notable career in American cinema during the 1920s and 1930s, she was also considered one of the most important female figures in the Golden Age of Mexican cinema, and one of the most beautiful actresses of her era.
Social Network
Though Dolores del Río is no longer alive, her presence is still felt through numerous online platforms and social media pages dedicated to her life and work. Fans and historians continue to share stories, images, and tributes to honor her legacy, ensuring that she remains a beloved figure in contemporary culture. Many dedicated fan accounts and pages on platforms like Instagram and Facebook keep her memory alive, connecting with new generations who admire her contributions to film.
She made her film debut in Joanna (1925), directed by Carewe and released that year. In the film del Río plays the role of Carlotta De Silva, a vamp of Spanish-Brazilian origin, but she appeared for only five minutes.
While continuing with his advertising campaign for del Río, Carewe cast her in a secondary role in the film High Steppers (1926), starring Mary Astor. In the same year, Carl Laemmle, the head of Universal Studios, cast del Río in the comedy The Whole Town's Talking.
These films were not big hits, but helped increase her profile with the movie-going public. Del Rio got her first starring role in the comedy Pals First (1926) also directed by Carewe.
Education
Dolores del Río received a classical education and training in the arts at the prestigious National Preparatory School in Mexico. Her early performances in operettas and theater provided her with a solid foundation for her future acting career. This academic background, combined with her inherent talent, helped her grow into a prominent actress and a cultural icon within Mexican cinema and Hollywood.
* Del Río is one of the entertainers displayed in the mural "Portrait of Hollywood", designed in 2002 by the artist Eloy Torrez in the Hollywood High School.
