Delia Fiallo

Delia was one of the most prominent representatives of contemporary romance novels, venturing into various genres as evidenced in her literary production. She lived for a time in Venezuela where her greatest productions were made for Venevisión and later Radio Caracas Televisión.

She was considered, for the contribution she gave to the pink melodrama genre in the 1970s and mid-1980s, as the "Mother of the Latin American telenovela." Her telenovelas have been adapted over the years in different countries and languages, producing almost a total of more than 80 successful versions.

She studied Philosophy and Letters in Havana, receiving a doctorate in 1948. She began writing radionovelas in Havana in 1949, with her first adaptation being the telenovela Soraya, broadcast in Cuba in 1957. She left this country, along with her family, in 1966, to go into exile in the city of Miami, a place where she spent writing much of her novels, although she visited Venezuela on different occasions to supervise the productions on small occasions.

Thanks to her countryman Enrique Cuscó, she was able to contact the owners of Venevisión, the television station that broadcast her first telenovela in the country, Lucecita in 1967.

The last original telenovela written by Fiallo was Cristal in 1985.

During her final years, her health began to deteriorate considerably due to her advanced age; she underwent several operations and treatments.

On June 29, 2021, she passed away just before turning 97 years old in Coral Gables surrounded by her family. Fiallo's daughter confirmed the news of her death, reporting that "she died in peace and surrounded by her loved ones."

Original Stories
Radionovelas

La señorita Elena
Ligia Sandoval
Soraya
El ángel perverso
Tu mundo y el mío
La mujer que no podía amar
Deshonrada
Más fuerte que el odio
Tu amor fue mi pecado
Siempre te he querido

Telenovelas

Cristal - Venezuela (1985-1986), with Lupita Ferrer, Jeannette Rodríguez, Carlos Mata and Raúl Amundaray18
Leonela y Miedo al amor - Venezuela (1983-1984), with Mayra Alejandra and Carlos Olivier
Querida mamá - Venezuela (1982), with Hilda Carrero and Eduardo Serrano
La heredera - Venezuela (1981-1982), with Hilda Carrero and Eduardo Serrano
Mi mejor amiga - Venezuela (1980-1981), with Flor Núñez and Félix Loreto
María del Mar - Venezuela (1978), with Chelo Rodríguez and Arnaldo André
Rafaela - Venezuela (1977), with Chelo Rodríguez and Arnaldo André
La Zulianita - Venezuela (1976), with Lupita Ferrer and José Bardina
Mariana de la noche - Venezuela (1975-1976), with Lupita Ferrer and José Bardina
Una muchacha llamada Milagros - Venezuela (1973–1974), with Rebeca González and José Bardina
Peregrina - Venezuela (1973) with Rebeca González and José Bardina
María Teresa - Venezuela (1972) with Lupita Ferrer and José Bardina
Esmeralda - Venezuela (1970-1971), with Lupita Ferrer and José Bardina
Lisa, mi amor - Venezuela (1970), with Marina Baura and José Bardina
Bajo el cielo de Argelia - Cuba (1962)
Hasta que la muerte nos separe - Cuba (1957)

Adaptations

Pobre diabla - Argentina-Venezuela (1990) with Jeannette Rodríguez and Osvaldo Laport - Original story by Alberto Migré
Laura y Virginia - Venezuela (1977), with Mary Soliani, Alejandra Pinedo and Luis Abreu - Original story by Enrique Jarnes
Cumbres Borrascosas - Venezuela (1976), with Elluz Peraza and José Bardina - Original story by Emily Brontë
Mi hermana gemela - Venezuela (1975), with Lupita Ferrer and José Bardina - Original story by Delia González Márquez
Doña Bárbara - Venezuela (1967), with Lupita Ferrer - Original story by Rómulo Gallegos

New versions rewritten by herself

Pobre diabla (Pobre diabla) - Peru (2000-2001) with Angie Cepeda and Salvador del Solar - Based on the free version along with the adaptation by Ximena Suárez
Leonela, muriendo de amor (Leonela y Miedo al amor) - Peru (1997-1998), with Mariana Levy and Diego Bertie
Paloma (Tu mundo y el mío) - Colombia (1994-1995), with Nelly Moreno and Edmundo Troya
Kassandra (Peregrina) - Venezuela (1992-1993), with Coraima Torres and Osvaldo Ríos
Lucerito (El ángel perverso) - Colombia (1992-1993), with Linda Lucía Callejas and Guillermo Gálvez
Estrellita mía (El ángel perverso) - Argentina (1987), with Andrea del Boca and Ricardo Darín
Atrévete (La señorita Elena) - Venezuela (1986), with Caridad Canelón and Pedro Lander
Ligia Sandoval (Ligia Sandoval) - Venezuela (1981), with Lupita Ferrer and José Bardina (co-adapted with Ana Mercedes Escamez)
Buenos días, Isabel (Lisa, mi amor) - Venezuela (1980), with Flor Núñez and José Bardina (co-adapted with Ana Mercedes Escamez)
Emilia (Tu mundo y el mío) - Venezuela (1979–1980), with Elluz Peraza and Eduardo Serrano (co-adapted with Ana Mercedes Escamez)
La señorita Elena (La señorita Elena) - Venezuela (1975), with Ada Riera and José Luis Rodríguez "El Puma" (co-adapted with Ana Mercedes Escamez)
Lucecita (El ángel perverso) - Venezuela (1972), with Adita Rivera and Humberto García (co-adapted with Ana Mercedes Escamez)
Rosario (Tu mundo y el mío) - Venezuela (1968), with Marina Baura and José Bardina
La señorita Elena (La señorita Elena) - Venezuela (1967), with Marina Baura and José Bardina
La mujer que no podía amar (La mujer que no podía amar) - Cuba
Ligia Sandoval (Ligia Sandoval) - Cuba
El ángel perverso (El ángel perverso) - Cuba
Soraya, una flor en la tormenta (Soraya) - Cuba (1957), with Gina Cabrera and Alberto González Rubio

New versions rewritten by others

Sin tu mirada (Esmeralda) - Mexico (2017-2018), with Claudia Martín and Osvaldo de León - Version by Gabriela Ortigoza
Amor secreto (Lisa, mi amor) - Venezuela (2015-2016), with Alejandra Sandoval and Miguel de León - Adaptation by César Sierra
Un refugio para el amor (La Zulianita) - Mexico (2012), with Zuria Vega and Gabriel Soto - Adaptation by Georgina Tinoco and Nora Alemán
La que no podía amar (La mujer que no podía amar) - Mexico (2011-2012), with Ana Brenda Contreras, José Ron and Jorge Salinas - Adaptation by Ximena Suárez
Rafaela (Rafaela) - Mexico (2011), with Scarlet Ortiz and Jorge Poza - Adaptation by Katia R. Estrada and Enna Márquez
Triunfo del amor (Cristal) - Mexico (2010-2011) with Victoria Ruffo, Maite Perroni, William Levy and Osvaldo Ríos - Version by Liliana Abud and adaptation by Ricardo Fiallega
Mar de amor (María del Mar) - Mexico (2009-2010), with Zuria Vega and Mario Cimarro - Adaptation by Alberto Gómez and María Antonieta Gutiérrez
Rosalinda (María Teresa) - Philippines (2009), with Carla Abellana and Geoff Eigenmann
Cuidado con el ángel (Fusion of Una muchacha llamada Milagros and Siempre te he querido) - Mexico (2008-2009) with Maite Perroni and William Levy - Adaptation by Carlos Romero, Tere Medina and Calú Gutiérrez
Secretos del alma (Lisa, mi amor) - Mexico (2008-2009), with Ivonne Montero and Humberto Zurita - Adaptation by Luis Zelkowiks, Gerardo Cadena and Marisela González
Cristal (Cristal) - Brazil (2006), with Bete Coelho, Bianca Castanho, Dado Dolabella and Giuseppe Oristanio
Peregrina (Peregrina) - Mexico (2005-2006), with África Zavala and Eduardo Capetillo - Adaptation by Carlos Romero and Tere Medina
Esmeralda (Esmeralda) - Brazil (2004-2005), with Bianca Castanho and Claudio Lins - Adaptation by Henrique Zambelli and Rogério Garcia
Mariana de la noche (Mariana de la noche) - Mexico (2003-2004), with Alejandra Barros and Jorge Salinas - Version by Liliana Abud19
Soledad (Querida mamá) - Peru (2001), with Coraima Torres and Guillermo Pérez - Adaptation by Maritza Kirchhausen and Luis Felipe Alvarado
Milagros (La heredera) - Peru (2000-2001), with Sonya Smith and Roberto Mateos - Adaptation by Enrique Moncloa and Giovanna Pollarolo
María Emilia, querida (Tu mundo y el mío) - Peru (1999-2000), with Coraima Torres and Juan Soler - Adaptation by Ximena Suárez
Rosalinda (María Teresa) - Mexico (1999), with Thalía and Fernando Carrillo - Adaptation by Carlos Romero, Kary Fajer and Liliana Abud
El privilegio de amar (Cristal) - Mexico (1998-1999) with Helena Rojo, Adela Noriega, René Strickler and Andrés García - Version by Liliana Abud
Luz María (El ángel perverso) - Peru (1998-1999), with Angie Cepeda and Christian Meier - Adaptation by Maritza Kirchhausen and Luis Felipe Alvarado20
Vivo por Elena (La señorita Elena) - Mexico (1998), with Victoria Ruffo and Saúl Lisazo - Adaptation by Marcia del Río
Esmeralda (Esmeralda) - Mexico (1997), with Leticia Calderón and Fernando Colunga - Adaptation by Georgina Tinoco, Dolores Ortega and Luz Orlín
Todo por tu amor (Ligia Sandoval) - Venezuela (1997), with Jeannette Rodríguez and Jean Carlo Simancas - Adaptation by Alberto Gómez
Te sigo amando (La mujer que no podía amar) - Mexico (1996-1997), with Claudia Ramírez, Luis José Santander and Sergio Goyri - Adaptation by René Muñoz
Morelia (La Zulianita) - Mexico-U.S.A. (1994-1995), with Alpha Acosta and Arturo Peniche - Adaptation by Ximena Suárez
Alejandra (Rafaela) - Venezuela (1994), with María Conchita Alonso and Jorge Schubert
Guadalupe (La heredera) - U.S.A.-Spain (1993-1994), with Adela Noriega and Eduardo Yáñez - Adaptation by Tabaré Pérez and Isamar Hernández
Rosangélica (María Teresa) - Venezuela (1993), with Sonya Smith and Víctor Cámara - Adaptation by Alicia Barrios
Marielena (Querida mamá) - U.S.A.-Spain (1992-1993), with Lucía Méndez and Eduardo Yáñez - Adaptation by Tabaré Pérez and Isamar Hernández
Bellísima (Cristal) - Venezuela (1991-1992), with Emma Rabbe, Víctor Cámara, and Nancy González - Adaptation by Valentina Párraga
Inés Duarte, secretaria (Lisa, mi amor) - Venezuela (1990–1991), with Amanda Gutiérrez and Víctor Cámara - Adaptation by Alicia Barrios
Adorable Mónica (La heredera) - Venezuela (1990-1991), with Emma Rabbe and Guillermo Dávila - Adaptation by Irene Calcaño and Milagros del Valle
Segunda parte de Gardenia - Venezuela (1990) (Tu mundo y el mío), with Caridad Canelón and Orlando Urdaneta - Adaptation by Leonardo Padrón
Fabiola (Tu mundo y el mío) - Venezuela (1989-1990), with Alba Roversi and Guillermo Dávila - Adaptation by Ana Mercedes Escámez
Maribel (La Zulianita) - Venezuela (1989), with Tatiana Capote and Luis José Santander - Adaptation by Ana Mercedes Escámez
Selva María (Mariana de la noche) - Venezuela (1988), with Mariela Alcalá and Franklin Virgüez - Adaptation by Gustavo Michelena
Primavera (María Teresa) - Venezuela (1988), with Gigi Zanchetta and Fernando Carrillo - Adaptation by Vivel Nouel
La muchacha del circo (Peregrina) - Venezuela (1988), with Catherine Fulop and Fernando Carrillo
Roberta (Rafaela) - Venezuela (1987), with Tatiana Capote and Henry Zakka
Mi amada Beatriz (Una muchacha llamada Milagros) - Venezuela (1987-1988) with Catherine Fulop and Miguel Alcántara - Adaptation by Benilde Ávila
Tu mundo y el mío (Tu mundo y el mío) - Argentina (1987-1988), with Nohely Arteaga and Daniel Guerrero - Adaptation by Alberto Giarrocco
Monte calvario (La mujer que no podía amar) - Mexico (1986), with Edith González, Arturo Peniche and José Alonso - Adaptation by Carlos Romero
María de nadie (La Zulianita) - Argentina (1985-1986), with Grecia Colmenares and Jorge Martínez - Adaptation by Federico Pagano
Topacio (Esmeralda) - Venezuela (1984), with Grecia Colmenares and Víctor Cámara - Adaptation by Ana Mercedes Escámez, Milagros del Valle and Benilde Ávila
Virginia (El ángel perverso) - Venezuela (1983-1984), with Alba Roversi and Miguel Ángel Landa
Marta y Javier (Siempre te he querido) - Venezuela (1983), with Mayra Alejandra and Carlos Olivier - Adaptation by Ligia Lezama
Mi querida Silvia (Soraya) - Puerto Rico (1978), with Marilyn Pupo and Daniel Lugo
Lucecita (El ángel perverso) - Spain (Film) (1976), with Analia Gadé and Juan Luis Galiardo
Lucecita (El ángel perverso) - Spain (Radionovela) (1974-1975), with Mari Carmen Hernández and Manolo Otero - Adaptation by Kiko Hernández
Estrellita, esa pobre campesina (El ángel perverso) - Argentina (1968), with Marta González and Germán Krauss
Lucecita (El ángel perverso) - Venezuela (1967-1968), with Marina Baura and José Bardina - Adaptation by Ligia Lezama.

Awards and Nominations

1948 Hernández Cata International Story Award Delia Fiallo Winner
1978 Onda Awards Delia Fiallo Winner
2011 Trajectory Delia Fiallo Winner