Maria Gladys Mello Da Silva, once an acclaimed Brazilian actress with several iconic roles in film and television, is now homeless.
Described as being alone, confused, and without money, the 85-year-old’s condition contrasts sharply with that of her granddaughter, international horror actress Mia Goth, who’s been married to actor Shia LeBeouf since 2016.
Her daughter, Maria Thereza Mello Maron, took to social media yesterday (April 10) to issue a heartfelt plea for help, in which she also revealed the complex financial situation of the family.
“She is on the street, confused, alone, without money and without a home,” the post read. “She needs to come to Rio to meet me so I can bring her to my house.”
Hollywood actress Mia Goth’s grandmother, Maria Gladys, is reportedly homeless and asking for monetary aid online
Image credits: Fellipe Ditadi / Unsplash
Contrary to what might be expected from a family of artists whose influence extends to Hollywood and beyond, the family is in a complicated financial situation that forced them to ask fans of Maria Gladys for donations.
“Neither I nor my sister have the money for the fare. Anyone who can help, I’m sharing her Pix,” Maria Thereza wrote, asking people to deposit funds via the Brazilian payment system.
Image credits: Extra / Globo
She accompanied her post with a call for public support and reposted a message her mother shared from her own account, asking for help and expressing a desire to return home.
While it isn’t immediately apparent who she’s referring to as being her sister, most netizens believe it’s Rachel Goth, the mother of actress Mia Goth.
Image credits: Maria Gladys
The plea for help cast a spotlight on Maria Galdys’s life—a life marked by resilience, hardship, travel, and passion.
Though she was once celebrated for her talent as one of Brazil’s biggest stars, the mother-of-three has spent recent years far from the glamour that once surrounded her.
While Mia Goth is not active on social media, fans made their voices heard on related accounts.
“Doesn’t she have a granddaughter who’s an actress in Hollywood? How is it possible that she needs help?” a Brazilian netizen wrote. “Where is Mia Goth?”
“Your grandmother needs help!” another wrote.
Maria Gladys has one son and two daughters, one of which is Mia Goth’s mother, all with different fathers
Image credits: Extra / Globo
Born in Rio de Janeiro in 1939, she endured a harsh childhood, contracting polio when she was three years old and having to re-learn how to walk from scratch.
Maria Gladys became a teenage mother when she was fifteen years old. The father of her first son, Glayson, vanished soon after, leaving her to raise the boy alone. Known for her beauty, Gladys became a dancer on a TV show and started dating Roberto Carlos, a famous Brazilian songwriter.
Image credits: Taylor Hill / Getty
In 1959, she made her theatrical debut at Rio de Janeiro’s Municipal Theater. She enjoyed a healthy career until 1965 when she had to leave the country due to being a detractor of Brazil’s Military Dictatorship.
Image credits: Amy Sussman / Getty
Living in exile in London, she met American artist Lee Jaffe in 1973. Their whirlwind romance produced a child, Rachel, who Maria Gladys initially believed to be the fruit of her relationship with John Coward, with whom she was living at the time.
Later, thanks to a DNA test, it was confirmed that Jaffe was the father.
Maria Gladys also has another daughter, Maria Thereza Mello Maron, with journalist Oscar Maron.
Mia has expressed admiration for Maria Gladys, saying that she’s “her biggest source of inspiration”
Maria Gladys’ daughter with Lee Jaffe, Rachel, lived in London until 1993, giving birth to Mia on October 25 of that year. Unable to take care of her alone, she moved to Brazil two weeks after becoming a mother. They remained in the country for five years, returning to the United Kingdom for a similar period of time.
When Mia was ten, they relocated to Canada in an attempt to mend things with her father, Eric Goth, a period that proved to be difficult, according to the actress. Two years later, they returned to London when Rachel decided to raise her daughter alone, working as a waitress to support her.
Image credits: Maria Gladys
While not much is known about Mia’s relationship with Maria Gladys, photos and interviews point to a healthy and loving bond between grandmother and granddaughter—one built on mutual admiration.
“My Brazilian grandmother is my greatest source of inspiration,” Mia Goth said in a recent interview. “She’s had an incredible life and has gone through a lot. She always encouraged me to expand my universe as much as possible.”
“I just think she’s amazing,” she said.
“I can’t believe it.” Brazilian netizens expressed disbelief at the situation the beloved actress is in
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