It’s rare to find an entertainment story that defies easy labels, but the relationship between Florinda Meza and Graciela Fernández, the first wife of iconic actor Roberto Gómez Bolaños, better known as ‘Chespirito,’ is certainly one of them. Despite the drama of their shared history, these two women managed to build a surprisingly cordial, even friendly, connection.
Graciela, who was married to ‘Chespirito’ for 23 years, openly admitted how much she suffered after their separation. She had been very happy during those years. The breakup was tough, especially after ‘Chespirito’ reportedly told her some harsh words. A widely shared interview, found on YouTube and other social media, captures Graciela recalling his blunt statement: “Your quota is up… And Florinda took him away.” Graciela Fernández passed away in 2013, just a year before Gómez Bolaños.
Even with all the public criticism and judgment that continued for years, Graciela and Florinda stayed in touch. They even kept communication going during holidays and other special occasions. Respect and good wishes seemed to overcome any bitterness that could have existed.
Florinda Meza Found Peace Thanks to Graciela’s Call
Florinda Meza, now 76 years old, has faced a mountain of criticism over the years. Many people labeled her as the sole reason for ‘Chespirito’s divorce. She was often called a “husband-stealer” and other hurtful names. However, Florinda shared that she received a phone call from Graciela that meant the world to her.
During an interview with journalist Adela Micha for her podcast ‘La Saga,’ Florinda Meza explained, “No, actually, I never felt guilty.” She went on to describe the pivotal phone call: “Once Graciela called me and told me that ‘yes, she had a lot of anger, but her anger wasn’t with me, it was with him.'”
Florinda admitted that she didn’t fully appreciate the impact of that call at the moment. But as time passed, she realized how important it was. She said, “You can’t imagine how much good it did me, because it was a huge burden.” Florinda has also mentioned in other interviews that she still doesn’t understand why so many people were upset about her relationship with ‘Chespirito.’
‘Chespirito’ himself acknowledged that his biggest issue with his first wife was his infidelity. This is what led him to become interested in and eventually fall for Florinda Meza back in the 1970s. This not only caused his split from Graciela but also broke off Florinda’s own engagement to director Enrique Segoviano.
Roberto Gómez Fernández, one of ‘Chespirito’s six children, recently spoke about his parents’ marital crisis. He shared that his father made some attempts at reconciliation at home. While there was a chance they might get back together, a final separation eventually happened. Roberto Gómez Fernández also confirmed that his father always supported his children, both financially and as a parent. This helped the children gradually understand that their parents chose to divorce, and that Florinda wasn’t solely to blame. Instead, it was a responsibility shared by all three people involved.