Maria Salud Ramirez Caballero has died at the age of 109 (Pictures: Disney / Newsflash)
Maria Salud Ramirez Caballero, the supposed inspiration behind Mama Coco in the Disney film, Coco, has died at the age of 109.
The beloved local died in Santa Fe de la Laguna, in Michoacán, Western Mexico, on October 16, according to reports.
She sadly died in the exact area where she was born more than a century ago.
Her death was confirmed by Roberto Monroy, the Secretary of Tourism for the Mexican state of Michoacán.
‘I am deeply saddened by the passing of Maria Salud Ramirez Caballero, “Mama Coco”, a tireless woman and example of life, who was the inspiration for this beloved character that went around the world,’ he said in a statement, via New York Post.
‘I pray for her eternal rest and for her family to find peace of mind.’
She was the supposed inspiration behind Mama Coco in the 2017 flick, Coco (Picture: Newsflash)
Disney has not officially acknowledged Caballero’s supposed role (Picture: Disney)
Caballero’s cause of death has not been confirmed.
She was reportedly known as Mama Coco by locals and worked as a clay craftswoman, and is thought to have inspired the beloved character in the animated film – voiced by actress Ana Ofelia Murguía.
The 2017 movie follows aspiring musician Miguel (Anthony Gonzales) who is transported to the Land of the Dead where he hopes to find his great-great-great grandfather, legendary singer Hector (Gael Garcia Bernal) to confront his family’s ban on music.
Benjamin Bratt, Alanna Ubach, Renee Victor and Edward James Olmos were also among the voice cast.
It was hugely successful and grossed a whopping $807million worldwide.
Disney has never officially confirmed that Mama Coco was inspired by Caballero, something that her family have reportedly been trying to change.
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According to TMZ, they claimed that members of the Pixar team visited the local area and spent time with her before the film’s release, and allegedly even lived in their home for a period of time.
Caballero is survived by three children, as well as many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Metro.co.uk has contacted reps for Disney and Pixar for a comment.
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RIP.