Elsa Patton captivated audiences as a beloved figure on The Real Housewives of Miami, where she guest-starred between 2011 and 2013. Her popularity led to the creation of her spinoff series, affectionately dubbed “Mama Elsa.”
Despite undergoing significant plastic surgery, which she candidly referred to as having altered her appearance, Elsa maintained a stunning presence even before these procedures. Her legacy lives on, reminding us of her enduring charm and charisma.
One of the most important things in life is to feel good in your skin. It makes no difference if this entails being larger, skinnier, shorter or taller, bald or hairy, or anything else involving looks.
We all have things with which we may not be quite satisfied. But in the end, it all comes down to how important it is to feel secure in who you are. The secret is to accept oneself rather than seek approval from others.
Some people use different hairstyles, exercise, or even surgery to cope with their problems. Others believe that more fundamental transformation is required.
You should always do whatever makes you happy and comfortable, we’ll keep saying. However, regardless of the reason you are considering plastic surgery, we also suggest that you visit a reputable practitioner. Do your research thoroughly because your life is at stake.
Many Hollywood celebrities have decided to get plastic surgery. Others have gone to extreme lengths to, in their opinion, improve their appearance. Some have decided to address minor concerns, like wrinkles or perhaps a nose job.
Plastic surgeons have criticized some celebrities, like Simon Cowell, for their extensive procedures, while others have regretted their decisions and sought to revert to their natural appearance by removing Botox or other treatments.
Extreme plastic surgery carries risks, with some individuals experiencing such drastic changes to their faces that they become unrecognizable.
Elsa “Mama Elsa” Patton, known for her role on The Real Housewives of Miami alongside her daughter Marysol Patton, exemplifies this. Elsa gained fame on the show from 2011 to 2013, captivating audiences with her memorable one-liners, infectious laughter, and spirited personality. However, she underwent numerous plastic surgeries, drawing criticism from a plastic surgeon in Tampa, Florida, who labeled her as a cautionary example of plastic surgery gone wrong.
The transformation of Elsa’s appearance raises questions about her motivations and how she looked before undergoing multiple procedures.
The reality television personality appears to have retreated from public life, as there are no in-depth interviews or feature articles about her available online. Her entry into The Real Housewives of Miami altered the course of her life.
Elsa Patton was born in Cuba on August 25, 1936. Sadly, just 15 months before her passing, her husband of 50 years, Donald Patton, passed away in 2018. Thomas Anthony Jones and Marysol Patton were their children. Through their involvement in The Real Housewives of Miami, Marysol and Elsa gained recognition. The show was revived in 2021 for its fourth season, featuring Marysol.
Outside of her time on The Real Housewives of Miami, Mama Elsa’s life remains largely undocumented. According to her daughter Marysol in an interview with RealityTea, Elsa was always a social and well-connected woman. Marysol reminisced about her mother’s vibrant social circle, including celebrities and influential figures, who were drawn to her magnetic personality. Elsa’s enduring allure suggests that public fascination with her will endure.
Marysol described the experience of being recognized in public with her mother, stating, “It’s a little different because people are approaching us, gazing at us, pointing, or taking pictures, so that’s a little unusual. But she enjoys it.”
Although not officially a “real housewife” on the show, Elsa rose to fame with her fiery demeanor and memorable one-liners, often declaring herself a “witch,” when accompanying her daughter Marysol on various occasions.
Her captivating presence led to her show, Havana Elsa, which premiered in 2012, documenting Elsa Patton’s journey toward launching her coffee company. Expressing her excitement, Elsa stated, “I love Cuban coffee… and now I’m going to have a coffee of my own, that is going to be amazing, it’s going to be to my liking, and on top of that I’m going to make money.”
Despite the initial enthusiasm, the show only lasted for nine episodes.
In her 17 appearances on The Real Housewives of Miami, Elsa Patton took center stage. It was evident from the show and images shared on Marysol’s Instagram page that Elsa had undergone extensive plastic surgery throughout her life, with younger photos portraying a markedly different appearance.
Elsa’s affinity for cosmetic surgery was evident, despite encountering numerous complications during the procedures.
Following an unsuccessful operation, Elsa bluntly referred to her surgeon as “the man who wrecked my face.” Despite facing challenges, Elsa chose to remain largely silent about her transformations, with her daughter Marysol being the one to share some details about “Mama Elsa’s” experiences.
Marysol revealed that her mother endured “hematomas on her eyes for like three years” after undergoing eyelid alterations in the 1980s.
Plastic surgery experts have criticized Elsa Patton’s procedures. Facial plastic surgeon Benjamin C. Stong of the Kalos Facial Plastic Surgery in Atlanta, Georgia, described Elsa’s case as “perhaps no greater case of plastic surgery gone wrong.” He expressed astonishment at her appearance before the surgeries.
Dr. Farrior, a double-board-certified surgeon in Tampa, Florida, characterized Elsa’s situation as a “tragedy” in both moral judgment and surgical technique.
Dr. Farrior suggested that Elsa may have influenced someone to cause harm rather than inflicting it upon herself. He emphasized that it was the surgeon’s responsibility to decline further surgery.
Ultimately, Dr. Farrior attributed fault to the chosen provider, stating, “The actual fault was because they did not say NO.”
At the conclusion of The Real Housewives of Miami season 2, Elsa Patton’s health deteriorated. In 2013, just before filming for season 3 commenced, she suffered a stroke and was hospitalized. Her recovery was challenging, leading to her absence for much of season 3.
Marysol, her daughter, disclosed these events to RadarOnline, revealing that Elsa was found unconscious on the bedroom floor by staff. Upon Marysol’s arrival, Elsa was unresponsive and unable to move her eyes.
Marysol initially suspected an accidental medication overdose but later realized it wasn’t the case. She expressed particular concern about finding Elsa unclothed, unsure if she had just finished a shower or was about to.
Unfortunately, Elsa’s health continued to decline in subsequent years. She passed away on May 13, 2019, at the age of 84, surrounded by her loved ones. Marysol expressed gratitude for the support and prayers received from friends and admirers worldwide during Elsa’s illness.
Following Elsa’s passing, Andy Cohen, founder, and executive producer of the Real Housewives franchise, paid a heartfelt tribute to her on his show, Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen. He reminisced about Elsa’s lasting impact on viewers and aired some of her most memorable moments from The Real Housewives of Miami.
Meanwhile, Marysol Patton’s life has continued to evolve. Viewers may recall her marriage to French businessman Philippe Pautesta Herder during season 1 of the reality program. However, the couple parted ways just a year later. Marysol has since found love again and tied the knot with Steve McNamara, the president of a Florida-based construction firm, in Mexico in April 2021. Their wedding ceremony included a Mayan ritual and a shaman, honoring Marysol’s late mother Elsa, as reported by a source to PageSix.
The source highlighted that the Mayan ritual and shamanic ceremony were deeply rooted in Elsa’s spiritual and religious beliefs, serving as a tribute to her mother’s influence. Marysol felt guided by her mother’s spirit to organize such a meaningful celebration, honoring Elsa’s continued presence in their lives.
In the fourth season of The Real Housewives of Miami, which premiered in 2021, Marysol paid homage to her late mother and her father, Donald. She expressed her belief that they had a hand in bringing her current husband into her life, indicating towards the sky and acknowledging their ongoing presence and support from above.