- Karla Álvarez was a Mexican actress best recognized for her lead role in Maria Mercedes and as a contestant for Big Brother Vip in 2003.
- The actress was rumored to have suffered from alcoholism and allegedly had an eating disorder following her divorce in 1994.
- In 2013, Karla died in her apartment in Mexico City due to acute respiratory failure complicated by viral pneumonia at the age of 41.
Karla Álvarez was a popular Mexican dancer and actress in the 90s. She rose to fame for her designated role in Maria Mercedes and Alma Rebelde. In 2003, she contested in Big Brother VIP and was a lead actress in theater and television for more than 20 years. Karla was known for her antagonistic characters in popular telenovelas. She also made appearances on different magazine covers.
Karla married the love of her life in 1994, however, their marriage ended within a year. The actress was plagued by several controversies related to her addictions and rumors concerning her health. She negated all the negative claims made about her lifestyle and insisted that she was living her best life.
Sadly, on November 15, 2013, Karla was found dead in her apartment. Her death left family and friends in shock as it happened during her happy days. While many try to find reasons behind her death, her ex-husband claims to have all the answers.
The Biography of Karla Álvarez
Karla Álvarez was born Karla Mercedes Álvarez Báez on October 15, 1972, in Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico. She was married to Alexis Ayala in 1994 but they got divorced in 1995. Karla was a trained entertainer: she received training as a professional dancer from the National Center for the Arts’ School of Classical and Contemporary Dance and also trained as an actress at the Center for Artistic Education (CEA).
She began her career as an actress in 1992, in the telenovela Maria Mercedes which was her breakthrough. From this she went on to feature in soap operas, television series, and feature films. The actress was nominated twice as the Best Young Actress (1998/1995) and Best Supporting Actress (2007). In 2003, Karla Álvarez was the 9th expelled contestant in the Big Brother reality show.
Sadly, on November 15, 2013, Karla Álvarez was found dead in her home in Mexico City, Mexico. She reportedly suffered acute respiratory failure. At the time of her death, she was 41 years old.
Karla Álvarez’s Marriage to Alexis Ayala Lasted for Only One Year
The Mexican actress was married in 1994 to Alexis Ayala who is an actor and producer. Ayala fell for the beauty while on set and began a relationship with her after two months of being friends.
The chemistry between them was evident in the movies they acted together. In 1994, they tied the knot in the presence of family and friends.
Unfortunately, a series of scandals surfaced, and their relationship became controversial. It was said that Karla’s husband was violent towards her. In 1995, the pair separated, recording only one year of being married.
Karla reportedly had a relationship with Armando Zafra, a stage director in 1999, and Jorge Burro Van Rankin while at Big Brother’s House.
Acute Respiratory Failure Claimed the Life of the Actress in November 2013
Karla Álvarez was found dead on November 15, 2013, in her Mexico City apartment. She was reportedly found dead around 2 pm that Friday by the woman who cleaned her house in the San Jerónimo neighborhood. The unfortunate news was reported by her sister Andrea Rodríguez, producer of the television program, Do Not Tell.
Karla’s sudden death revved up several controversies. At that time, it circulated that she suffered a cardiac infarction. Also, she was rumored to have suffered from habitual drinking and eating disorders. A new insight emerged from Antonio D’Agostino who claimed to have been present at the time of her death.
The man known as the second husband of the actress was quoted to have said: “I was with her when she died, she choked on some quesadillas that she was eating”.
Nonetheless, four years after her death, a Spanish broadcast television network, Univisión, announced that access to Karla’s death certificate confirms that she died due to an acute respiratory failure complicated by viral pneumonia. This was reportedly signed by Dr. José Luis Haro Rodríguez on November 16, 2013. Karla’s body was cremated however authorities did not perform an autopsy.
Facts to Know about Late Karla Álvarez
1. She Got Married to Antonio D’Agostino in a Secret Ceremony
While many were still recovering from the news of Karla’s death, Antonio D’Agostino who was 66 years old at that time, revealed that he was married to Karla and wanted to be in possession of her properties.
He revealed to gossip magazine, TVNotas, that they got married in Morelos. He added that her family was aware of their marriage. However, Karla’s father Carlos Álvarez has called him a fraud.
Also, Karla’s lawyer clarified that she had divorced Antonio D’Agostino three months before her death; that the man had no legal right over her properties.
2. She Was Part of the Big Brother VIP Reality Show
In 2003, Karla Álvarez was part of the Big brother reality show and she stayed for over 50 days. She was the 9th expelled contestant of the reality show.
While in the show, she was in a romantic relationship with Jorge “El Burro” Van Rankin. Although the actress did not reach the grand finale of the contest, she considered herself a winner, claiming to have found love again.
3. Karla Álvarez Was 20 Years Old When She Began a Career in Acting
Karla took to show business early; after her graduation from the National School of Dance, she made her television debut as Rosario in Maria Mercedes at the young age of 20, this was in 1992. Thereafter, she was seen in shows like Prisionera de Amor, La Mentira, Camaleones, and Un gancho al Corazon.
Nevertheless, she was best known for playing Rita in 1999’s Alma Rebeldo (Rebellious Souls). Karla Álvarez received TVyNovelas Awards nominations for Best Young Actress in 1995 and Best Supporting Actress in 2007: the latter was for her role as Florencia in Heridas de Amor (Wounds of Love).
The late actress frequented the Mexico City stage and notably played Rubi in a 2007 drama titled La Santa Muerte. At the prime of her fame, Karla pulled off photoshoots with multiple magazines. Her last known work, if we are not mistaken, was as Irasema in the series Que Bonito Amor (What a Beautiful Love; 2012 – 2013)
Read Also: Laure Calamy: 10 Interesting Facts No One Told You About The Actress
4. Karla Loved Pets and Was Rumored to Have Suffered Cancer
The actress was extremely attached to her pets. She disclosed that she couldn’t live without them. When the telenovela Inocente de ti was filmed, she took her dog with her to Maimi.
Karla Álvarez was said to have suffered cancer following her sudden loss of weight in October 2013. According to what she shared, she came close to loosing her life to cancer as she had to undergo an operation just after filming Que Bonito Amor.
