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DID YOU KNOW?
FACTS & FICTION WITH A MEXICAN TWIST
JANUARY 2007Did you know that...
...a charwoman-actress once captivated Mexican high society in her alter ego as Don Carlos Balmori? By Tony Burton Copyright© 2007
An elaborate tomb in Mexico City's main cemetery, the Panteón Civil de Dolores, is a lasting reminder of one of the nation's strangest ever spoofs. Hand-painted tiles once decorated the tomb depicting Concepción (Conchita) Jurado as both an elderly grey-haired woman, and also as a swanky Spanish businessman, Don Carlos Balmori. Other tiles showed some of the deceptions she carried out. Sadly, some of the tiles have now disappeared.
Those taken in by her masterful and audacious feats of male impersonation held annual reunions at her gravesite for many years following her death in 1931. In the words of a 1945 issue of Time Magazine, the mourners constituted a "society of her worshipful dupes". Now, the grave, and Conchita's exploits are largely forgotten.
Conchita Jurado was born in 1865, and little is known about her early life. Was she really always a charwoman, with aspirations of being an actress, or was she, as some sources claim, really a working actress? Over the years, she perfected her party piece, which was to assume the appearance, language and behavior of an unbelievably wealthy Spanish gentleman.
In 1926, now in her 60s and egged on by her friends, this alter ego ventured out into high society as Spanish gentleman Don Carlos Balmori. Rumors quickly swirled around Balmori. He was rich, immensely rich. He had a theater named after him. He was connected, very well connected, to the highest ranks of nobility. Giddy with desire, numerous women fell in love with this eccentric Spanish "millionaire", who was also courted by politicians and society grandees.
Balmori's amazing wealth allowed him to be distastefully blunt and rude about all manner of things. He was able to enjoy high society life while perpetrating dozens of elaborate hoaxes...
[continued]
Read the complete article . . .
Did You Know Index
Text © Copyright 2007 by Tony Burton. All rights reserved.
- - - Sombrero Books Page
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