Mexican entertainment icon and telenovela legend Lucía Méndez, 70, was rushed to the hospital early Wednesday, April 9, due to complications reportedly related to COVID-19. According to the Mexican media, the legendary actress and singer began experiencing serious symptoms tied to a recent COVID-19 infection.
Méndez began having difficulty breathing and made the decision to call for an ambulance. The singer-actress is now under medical care, and while her condition is said to be stable, "she remains under close observation as doctors continue to monitor her recovery," said the Televisa morning show 'Hoy.'
Lucía Méndez is considered one of the greatest icons in Mexican television history. Born in León, Guanajuato, in 1955, she rose to fame in the late 1970s, starring in hit telenovelas like 'Viviana', 'Colorina,' and 'El extraño retorno de Diana Salazar'. In addition to her acting career, Méndez is also a successful pop singer, having released more than 20 albums. Her charisma, versatility, and longevity have cemented her place as a beloved figure in Latin American pop culture.
She became a streaming superstar with her Netflix reality TV show 'Forever Queens' (Siempre Reinas) and her Prime Video show 'Mejor Viuda Que Mal Acompañada.'
News of her hospitalization has triggered an outpouring of concern and support across social media, with fans and fellow artists sending well wishes and prayers for her recovery. As of now, no official statement has been released by Méndez's representatives, but updates are expected in the coming days.
Lucía Méndez had changed her views on COVID
The artist had been infected at least once before and, since the pandemic began, has had a controversial and shifting stance on the virus. Her past statements are once again gaining relevance given his delicate state of health.
In an April 2020 interview with the Mexican newspaper Excelsior , Méndez stated that she did not believe the virus arose naturally, suggesting that it was man-made.
"This virus is clearly human-made. I don't think it came from animals or anything like that. I feel like it was made in a lab," the actress said in statements that were picked up by various media outlets.
These statements placed her at the center of controversy at a time when conspiracy theories were on the rise.
The use of chlorine dioxide as a preventive method
One of the most controversial episodes occurred in June 2020, when Méndez publicly revealed that she was taking chlorine dioxide as a preventive measure against the coronavirus, a practice strongly discouraged by health authorities such as the WHO and COFEPRIS due to its health risks.
"I've been taking chlorine dioxide for three weeks as a preventative measure, and when I have to see people, I take up to eight or ten doses," she said, according to the Dominican newspaper Listin Diario .
The statement drew strong criticism, especially from health professionals who warned of the dangers of promoting such substances without medical backing.
After contagion
In January 2022, Lucía Méndez announced on social media that she had tested positive for the virus, although she was "almost asymptomatic," but acknowledged that the virus had caused her health problems . A few days later, she confirmed that she had overcome the disease and took the opportunity to urge her followers to get vaccinated, thus changing the tone of her previous messages.
"I wouldn't wish this on anyone," the artist said in a video on social media. "I still have trouble breathing when I walk." She also took a strong stance on prevention.
"I have a lot of respect for people who don't believe in the vaccine but get vaccinated; that's my personal opinion," she said .
