Sonia Manzano, who plays Maria on "Sesame Street," announced she will be retiring after more than four decades on the TV show.
The 65-year-old actress announced her retirement earlier this week during the American Library Association Annual Conference, according to Us Weekly. She has been playing the well-loved character since 1971. She started on the show as a teenager who had just gotten a job at the library.
The American Libraries official Twitter broke the news publicly. "After 45 years on Sesame Street, @SoniaMManzano will no longer appear on the next season #alaac," wrote the magazine, with a photo of Manzano making the announcement.
Fans were sad to hear the news, but spread their love for Manzano on Twitter. She retweeted and replied to many fans' messages and, in one reply, even hinted that she could be back for the show's 50th anniversary as a guest.
"Maybe I'll go back for 50th anniversary and make a guest appearance! Gracias!" she wrote to a fan who said she would be missed and that they'd love to see her on Season 50 "to commemorate the show."
During her time on the show, the Maria character grew up to co-own the Fix-It Shop with her husband, Luis, played by Emilio Delgado, according to E! News. As an actress and writer, she has won 15 Emmys since 1971.
It seems like the end of an era for the beloved children's show, but Manzano tweeted that it's the "beginning of new endeavors."
"Sesame Street" has not commented on the actress' departure yet.
After 45 years on Sesame Street, @SoniaMManzano will no longer appear on the next season. #alaac15 pic.twitter.com/Jiz7tn9dAI
— American Libraries (@amlibraries) June 29, 2015
@cahuenga23 Maybe I'll go back for 50th anniversary and make a guest appearance! Gracias! — Sonia Manzano (@SoniaMManzano) July 1, 2015
@nickmoreau @sesamestreet But the beginning of new endeavors! — Sonia Manzano (@SoniaMManzano) July 1, 2015
