Lyn May, a Chinese Mexican showgirl, captivated audiences and presidents alike, starring in nearly 100 films. Known as “The Goddess of Love,” her life took a dramatic turn in the early 1990s after a routine Botox appointment went disastrously wrong, altering her appearance forever.
Born as Lilia Guadalupe Mendiola Mayares in Acapulco, Mexico, in 1952, Lyn’s early life was marked by hardship. She contributed financially to her family by selling souvenirs to tourists and later worked as a waitress, where she met her first love, an American sailor 30 years her senior. The couple had two daughters and moved to Mexico City, but their relationship ended after Lyn accused him of abuse.
After the divorce, Lyn returned to Acapulco and began her career as a dancer. Her unique style quickly caught the eye of television producers, leading to appearances on the popular show *Siempre en Domingo*. This exposure brought her to the attention of Enrique Lombardini, who invited her to perform in burlesque shows at Teatro Esperanza Iris. Initially hesitant, Lyn eventually embraced the burlesque style, earning her the title “Lyn May: The Goddess of Love” and becoming a prominent figure in the Ficheras films of the 1970s and 1980s. However, as the popularity of these films waned, so did Lyn’s fame.
In the late 1990s, Lyn May made a triumphant return to the spotlight, appearing in music videos, TV shows, and documentaries, reminding everyone of her enduring charisma. Despite her bold public persona, her personal life was fraught with tragedy. After divorcing her first husband, Lyn married businessman Antonio Chi Su in 1989. The couple opened a Chinese restaurant together, but their happiness was cut short when Chi Su was diagnosed with prostate cancer and passed away in 2008. Struggling to cope with her grief, Lyn later admitted to exhuming her husband’s body and sleeping beside it, a shocking revelation she shared in a candid interview.
Lyn May’s life has been filled with bold statements and controversial actions, including a claim that she had an affair with a former President of Mexico, though she never disclosed his identity. In 2008, she married film producer Guillermo Calderón Stell, staying with him until his death in 2018.
In 2021, Lyn made headlines again by announcing her pregnancy at the age of 68 with her 29-year-old fiancé, Markos D1. The news sparked widespread curiosity and skepticism, with many questioning its authenticity. It was later revealed that the pregnancy announcement was a publicity stunt to promote her upcoming farewell tour.
Lyn May’s pursuit of beauty has also been marked by challenges. Early in her career, a cosmetic procedure intended to enhance her facial features went terribly wrong. A scammer injected her with cooking oil instead of collagen, leaving her with unsightly lumps on her face. Despite multiple surgeries, the damage could not be fully repaired, a lasting reminder of her quest for perfection.
Today, Lyn May remains a figure of intrigue and resilience, her story not just about fame and beauty, but also about personal struggle and the determination to forge her own path.
