Maribel Guardia born Maribel del Rocío Fernández García in San José, Costa Rica) is a Costa Rican actress, model, singer and TV hostess, who works in Mexico, and currently lives and resides in Mexico. She was winner of Miss Costa Rica 1978 and contestant in Miss Universe 1978. Guardia was elected Miss Costa Rica in 1978, going on to represent her country at the Miss Universe 1978 beauty pageant (did not place but was selected as Miss Photogenic), and the Miss World 1978 beauty pageant (placed as a top 15 semi-finalist). The Miss Universe pageant had been held in Acapulco, and she received offers by Televisa producer Sergio Bustamante to develop a career there, but she returned to her country. Months later she accepted the offer and returned to Mexico, leaving her mother and boyfriend.
