Even with efforts to patch things up, the marriage of comedy legend Roberto Gómez Bolaños to Graciela Fernández reached its end. This happened after his romance with Florinda Meza became public knowledge. Their divorce was finalized in 1989. Like most legal separations, it involved a property settlement. This agreement significantly favored Graciela, his first wife.
In his 2006 autobiography, ‘Sin querer queriendo: memorias’ (which translates to ‘Accidentally on Purpose: Memories’), the genius behind ‘El Chavo del Ocho’ laid bare the details. He openly shared everything he gave to Graciela, the mother of his six children, after their split.
Gómez Bolaños admitted in his writings that starting a romantic relationship with Florinda Meza was one of the toughest times he ever faced. He felt a deep connection with Meza, who was a key actress in his TV shows. But his decision also brought guilt, sadness, and a clear understanding of the emotional fallout it would cause for his family.
He described his divorce from Graciela as “an unavoidable trauma.” It was a painful breakup, he wrote, but one that was bound to happen due to long-standing differences. In this difficult situation, he knew the separation wasn’t just about feelings. It also demanded material responsibility on his part.
A Generous Split: What Graciela Received
When the divorce agreement was settled, Gómez Bolaños chose to give Graciela a significant chunk of his wealth. This included two homes, several plots of land, the family’s shared properties, his favorite car, and a large amount of cash.
He didn’t do this because the law forced him. Instead, it was a personal choice. He wanted to make sure his partner of over two decades had stability and comfort for her future.
This kind act was confirmed by their son, Roberto Gómez Fernández. He shared in an interview with Mara Patricia Castañeda that his dad always looked after his mother. “He never stopped supporting my mother in every way, especially financially. She never lacked anything. My father was always there, supporting her, right until his last day,” said Roberto Gómez Fernández, who produces the ‘Chespirito’ biographical series.
He also chuckled as he recalled his father often joked about his mother being a “bad administrator.” “It’s not that she spent wildly; she lived in a small apartment,” he explained. “But it was always, ‘I need more for…’ I’m talking about money, but his support was truly in every sense.”
Roberto Jr. felt his parents never stopped loving each other. He also said he never heard Gómez Bolaños complain about his mother. “Quite the opposite,” he stated. “He always spoke very highly of her.”
Chespirito himself wrote in his autobiography that his goal was to lessen the emotional pain of the divorce. He wanted to give his ex-wife a strong foundation for her future. Even though the breakup was tough, he believed he had to protect her financially. He acknowledged her important role in their family life and the many years they spent together.