'And it was – the civil rights movement was at its fervor, and the idealistic show was going to close the education gap. 'When I started 'Sesame Street,' I was 21, 22,' said Manzano, now 64.
She said the program's idealism has always been part of its charm. Manzano spoke to CBSN about her time on the program for its 45th anniversary back in November. Manzano's Maria character came to be known on 'Sesame Street' for operating the Fix-It shop with Luis (Emilio Delgado), who in 1988 also became her husband. 'She was a first crush, a best friend, and a baby sitter, telling stories and making everyone laugh.' 'Viewers have watched Maria grow up,' the Sesame Workshop says on its website.
