CDMX, Mexico.- In the first half of the 20th century, a woman walked along the Prado and Malecón in a striking red convertible, scandalizing everyone around her. And she was not for less, she was born at a time when it was not common for drivers to be female. In fact, according to historical reports, she was the first woman to drive a car in Cuba.
María Constancia Caraza Valdés (also known as María Calvo Nodarse) is one of the most enigmatic characters in Cuban popular history. Little is known for sure about her, other than that she was born in Guanajay in 1892 and that at the age of 15, kidnapped or of her own free will (both versions are used), she arrived in Havana with a man. However, this relationship did not last long and Maria followed a path of luxury, cleared by her rich and powerful lovers.
His fame for being a rebel and breaking with the canons of the time was such that in 1958 he would tell Guillermo Villarronda, from the magazine Bohemia: “More than a dozen men remained surrendered at my feet, flooded with money and pleading for love.” Whether they were really that many or not cannot be confirmed; but yes, one of those men was nothing more and nothing less than Major General José Miguel Gómez, who was President of the Republic.
confirm the journalist specialized in historical issues Ciro Bianchi that with the help of José Miguel and other friends, the Macorina rose like foam. She “she came to be the owner of four sumptuous residences in Havana, two of them in El Vedado, and nine automobiles, almost all of European manufacture, which were her favorites. She was the owner of several racehorses and used to wear jewelry of hers that were worth a fortune on the outings ”.
Thus, walking through Havana and giving rise to talk in a society that was too conservative for her, the life of this enigmatic woman passed until in 1934 when she fell into disgrace. Already without the youth of years ago and with the economies of her friends affected by the world crisis, the Cuban had to start selling her properties to survive.
On June 15, 1977, Macorina died in Havana. She, that woman that the whole city talked about, was no longer relevant to Havana society and she died in the greatest misery. But if that catchy refrain that Abelardo Barroso played with the Sensación orchestra remains: “Put your hand here, Macorina”.
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