You might not be familiar with Lyn May, but in Mexico, she’s a legendary figure. Known as “The Goddess of Love,” May has lived an extraordinary life as captivating as her career.
This iconic figure in the Mexican film industry is famed for enchanting audiences and even rumored to have charmed presidents. Her remarkable journey is one you won’t want to miss – so let’s dive in!
The American Sailor
Born Lilia Guadalupe Mendiola Mayares in 1952, Lyn May hails from Acapulco, Mexico, with Chinese heritage. From a young age, she learned that nothing comes for free and had to contribute financially to her family. As a child, she sold souvenirs to tourists, helping to support her household. As she grew older, she worked as a waitress, a job that would change her life forever when she met her first great love—a 30-year-older American sailor.
Despite the age difference, the couple became inseparable. Lyn moved to Mexico City with her new husband, and they had two daughters together. However, after five years, Lyn left her husband, accusing him of physically abusing her and sexually exploiting their children.
Breakthrough
After divorcing her American husband, Lyn May relocated to Acapulco and began working as a dancer. Despite little formal training, Lyn stood out when she danced in a miniskirt, quickly opening doors to bigger opportunities. She soon found herself on Mexican television, appearing on the iconic show Siempre en Domingo, one of the most influential TV programs in Latin America, making Lyn a familiar face across the region.
Her rising fame caught the attention of businessman Enrique Lombardini, who ran the renowned Teatro Esperanza Iris. He invited Lyn to perform in his burlesque shows, a proposition that initially made her uncomfortable. Her reluctance was evident on stage, where she was met with boos from the audience for not fully undressing.
However, within a week, Lyn decided to embrace the burlesque style, and when she finally shed her clothes on stage, the reaction was electric, causing a furor among the male audience. Lombardini then crowned her “Lyn May: The Goddess of Love.” She became a prominent figure in the Ficheras films of the 1970s and 1980s, a genre that centered on the humorous and often provocative tales of working-class Mexicans and their sexual escapades.
As the popularity of Ficheras films waned, Lyn May gradually faded from the spotlight. But the late 1990s saw her make a triumphant return to television, captivating attention with her fearless personality and appearing in music videos, TV shows, and documentaries.
Digging Up Her Husband
After her tumultuous relationship with her American husband ended, Lyn May found love again with businessman Antonio Chi Su. The couple married in 1989 and opened a Chinese restaurant in Mexico City. Their partnership was strong, but tragedy struck in 2004 when Chi Su was diagnosed with prostate cancer, and he sadly passed away in 2008.
Overwhelmed by grief, Lyn May struggled to cope, resorting to extreme measures to deal with her sorrow. In a candid interview on the show El Minuto Que Cambió Mi Destino, she confirmed shocking rumors that she had exhumed her husband’s body and brought it home, revealing that she even slept beside his remains.
“I lived with him for 25 years; it was a 25-year marriage, and I didn’t want to let him go. I loved him… Yes, I dug him up and slept beside him,” Lyn confessed. Her mother eventually convinced her to let go, though Lyn did not share how long she lived with her husband’s body or how she eventually moved on.
Affair with the President
Lyn May once claimed to have had an affair with a former President of Mexico, though she never revealed his identity. Speculation suggests that the president in question might be José López Portillo, who was also rumored to have had a relationship with actress Sasha Montenegro.
In 2008, Lyn May married film producer Guillermo Calderón Stell, remaining with him until his death in 2018.
Pregnant at 68
In August 2021, Lyn May made headlines with a stunning announcement: the 68-year-old revealed that she was pregnant, with her 29-year-old fiancé, Markos D1, reported to be the father. The news sent shockwaves around the world, leading many to question its authenticity.
“I am very happy to announce that I am 3 months pregnant, and Markos D1 is very happy that he will be a dad,” Lyn wrote on her Instagram. However, it soon became apparent that things might not have been as they seemed. Lyn May initially announced her intention to marry her fiancé, but began deleting posts about both the engagement and the pregnancy shortly thereafter. It emerged that the relationship with Marcos might not have been as serious as Lyn had suggested. Marcos, a California-based musician, told Newsweek that the pregnancy news was likely a publicity stunt for Lyn’s upcoming farewell tour.
The Truth About Her Face
As an exotic dancer and actress, Lyn May has always been meticulous about her appearance. Early photos showcase her striking features and her ability to captivate men. However, her pursuit of beauty hasn’t been without its challenges. In her 30s, Lyn sought to enhance her facial features through cosmetic procedures, but one attempt went horribly wrong and continues to haunt her. According to reports, Lyn was injected with cooking oil, baby oil, or water instead of the collagen injections she was promised. The result was the unsightly lumps that remain on her face today. Despite the setbacks, including the public scrutiny surrounding her appearance, Lyn May remains a figure of intrigue and strength.
Her story is not just about fame and beauty, but also about personal struggle and the pursuit of one’s own path.