At the height of her fame, Lyn May—Mexico’s Chinese-Mexican showgirl known as “The Goddess of Love”—was one of the most adored figures in Latin entertainment. With nearly 100 films to her name, she dazzled audiences and even caught the attention of world leaders. But a single cosmetic procedure gone wrong in the early 1990s changed everything about her appearance—and her life.
Humble Beginnings
Born Lilia Guadalupe Mendiola Mayares in 1952 in Acapulco, Lyn May’s childhood was far from glamorous. Of Chinese descent, she grew up in poverty and began working at a young age to help her family. She sold souvenirs to tourists and later worked as a waitress—where she met an American sailor thirty years her senior.
They fell in love despite their age gap, married, and had two daughters. However, the relationship turned violent, and Lyn divorced him after discovering he had abused their children.
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Finding the Stage
After her divorce, Lyn returned to Acapulco and began dancing to make ends meet. Despite her lack of formal training, her beauty and charisma made her an instant favorite. Her big break came when she appeared on “Siempre en Domingo,” one of Latin America’s most popular TV shows.
From there, Lyn became a household name. When theater owner Enrique Lombardini saw her potential, he offered her a role in his burlesque shows. Though shy at first, Lyn soon embraced the stage, and audiences adored her. Lombardini gave her the title “Lyn May: The Goddess of Love,” and she became a defining icon of the 1970s and 1980s “Ficheras” film genre—lighthearted, risqué comedies about working-class Mexicans.
Love and Loss
After fame came tragedy. Lyn fell in love again, this time with Antonio Chi Su, a wealthy businessman. The two married in 1989 and opened a Chinese restaurant together in Mexico City. But in 2004, Chi Su was diagnosed with prostate cancer, and he passed away in 2008 after years of treatment.
Heartbroken, Lyn confessed years later that she had exhumed his body and kept it beside her for a time, unable to let him go. “I lived with him for 25 years,” she said in an emotional interview. “I didn’t want to say goodbye.”
A Scandalous Affair
Lyn May also claimed to have had a secret romance with a former Mexican president—widely rumored to be José López Portillo, who was also linked to actress Sasha Montenegro. Despite the gossip, Lyn rarely confirmed details, maintaining an air of mystery around her love life.
She later married film producer Guillermo Calderón Stell in 2008 and remained with him until his death in 2018.
“Pregnant” at 68
In 2021, Lyn May stunned the world with a bold announcement: she was pregnant at 68. She shared the news on Instagram, claiming her 29-year-old fiancé, Markos D1, was the father. The claim caused a media frenzy, as it would have made her the oldest woman to give birth in history.
Weeks later, however, singer Markos D1 revealed that the “pregnancy” had been a publicity stunt to promote Lyn’s farewell tour. “We never had a real relationship,” he said. “It was all just for promotion.” Lyn later admitted it was indeed a marketing move.
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The Truth About Her Face
Throughout her life, Lyn May took great pride in her looks—but her pursuit of beauty came at a devastating cost. In her early 30s, she trusted a fake cosmetic specialist who injected her face with baby oil or cooking oil instead of collagen. The result left her face permanently disfigured, with visible lumps that no surgery could completely repair.
Attempts to fix the damage only worsened the problem, but Lyn faced it with resilience. Instead of hiding, she owned her appearance and continued performing, proving that her confidence was stronger than any scar.
Legacy of a Survivor
Despite heartbreak, betrayal, and tragedy, Lyn May remains a symbol of perseverance. Her journey reflects both the glitter and the pain behind fame—the price of beauty, love, and survival in a world quick to judge.
Even today, she continues to perform and inspire fans with her unapologetic attitude and fearless authenticity.
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Lyn May’s story is a reminder that true beauty lies not in perfection, but in courage—the courage to keep shining when the spotlight fades.
Share her story to celebrate a woman who turned heartbreak into legacy and pain into power.
