Maria Elena Holly Net Worth 2024: Age, Career, Earning
Maria Elena Holly, an American businesswoman, is dedicated to protecting the legacy of her first husband, Buddy Holly. She also runs Buddy-Holly Educational Foundation, and is famous as the wife and widow of rock star Buddy Holly. The estimated Maria Elena Holly net worth is $20 million.
Maria safeguard the rights of her husband’s images, trademarks, music and any other intellectual properties. Moreover, she is also famous for her no-nonsense behavior while protecting her husband’s legacy from covetous promoters. Read this complete article to learn about Maria Elena Holly net worth, career, relationship, age and much more.
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Maria Elena Holly Biography
| Full Name | Maria Elena Santiago |
| Known as | Maria Elena Holly |
| Date of Birth | December 20, 1932 |
| Place of Birth | San Juan, Puerto Rico |
| Gender | Female |
| Age | 91 years |
| Zodiac Sign | Sagittarius |
| Religion | N/A |
| Lucky Stone | Turquoise |
| Nationality | American, Puerto Rican, |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Parents | N/A |
| Siblings | N/A |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Spouse | Buddy Holly (m. 1958, died 1959) Joe Diaz (m. 1963, divorced) |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | N/A |
| Profession | Businesswoman |
| Net Worth | $20 million |
Early Life
Maria Elena Santiago also known as Maria Elena Holly came into the world on December 20, 1932, in the vibrant city of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Her mother was found dead after three years of her birth in 1935, and her father continued to live his life happily with Maria’s aunt, Provi Garcia. Moreover, Maria’s father convinced her to move to New York City in her aunt’s house.
There is no record available regarding his education. However, her first position was as receptionist at Peer-Southern Music Publishing Company. This was the time when she met Buddy Holly, musician and rock star, who later became her husband. Buddy Holly was on his way to meet Murray Deutch, Santiago’s boss.
During Maria’s job as receptionist, Buddy Holly asked Maria for a day out before his recording of single Early In The Morning, and after Provi Garcia’s permission, they went on her first date with Buddy Holly in Lubbock, Texas, Buddy’s hometown. Within 5 hours of their first meetup, Buddy Holly proposed to Maria Elena, as love at first sight.
Maria Elena Holly: Personal Life
Maria Elena Santiago and Buddy Holly tied the knot on August 15, 1958. They lived happily for 6 months only. On February 3, 1959, Buddy Holly along with his two friends, The Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens, embarked on a musical tour and tragically lost their lives in a plane crash. You should also read John Adams Morgan Net Worth.
Maria Elena was expecting at that time, she learned about his husband’s death from Television reports and could not bear this. Moreover, it was also reported that she faced miscarriage after the sad news of her husband’s death. Maria bound herself in the room and she always blamed herself and music for Buddy Holly’s death.
In 1963, Maria Elena remarried Joe Diaz, Puerto Rican government official. They had three children together before parting their ways through divorce. Maria’s husband convinced her to promote his first husband’s legacy and music. Prior to the death of Buddy Holly, she was handling promotional duties before starting a publishing company. His first promotion was Holly’s song Stay Close To Me.
Maria Elena Holly: Professional Career
Maria Elena Holly collaborated with his first husband before his death, in his music. She worked for the handling of promotions of his music. Even after his husband’s death, Maria Elena Holly tried to hide herself from the public, and leave behind everything. You should also check out the Justin Kan Net Worth.
In 1963, after 4 years of Buddy Holly’s death, she remarried and her second husband Joe Diaz, convinced her to protect and promote Holly’s legacy. Therefore, Maria Elena did every effort to defend the reputation and creating endeavors of her late husband. She protected her husband’s legacy from plagiarism and unscrupulous record labels.
Maria’s name was marked in history as she was the only woman who safeguard her late husband’s music legacy. During this time, she was also titled as a greedy woman, but she continued to do her work, and benefit financially to protect Buddy’s music from exploitation. Maria Elena Holly has no fame without Buddy Holly’s name. Maria Elena Holly net worth of $20 million is testament of her work regarding music.
Her sole purpose is to produce tribute albums and films about Buddy Holly after the license agreement and contract. Moreover, she signed an agreement with entities who want to use Buddy’s music. Hence, after the production of music videos, all his work was attributed with Maria’s name. Maria Elena sued a person named Piggy for publishing her autobiography without her consent.
In 2010, she founded a non-profitable foundation, The Buddy Holly Educational Foundation (TBHEF), aided in providing musical instruction to future generations. Furthermore, Maria Elena also founded Buddy and Maria Elena Holly Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Treatment Room at University Hospital in San Antonio.
Social Media Profiles
Maria Elena Holly is not active on social profiles. However, she has a Twitter account created in 2013. This is a surprising fact as in this modern world, she prefers to stay away from social media.
Maria Elena Holly Net Worth
After Buddy’s death in 1959, Maria Elena Holly promoted his music and took charge of all rights to his images and property. She produced his late husband’s music and won the rights to everything that Buddy has, which ultimately became Maria’s work. As of 20123, Maria Elena Holly Net Worth is approximately $20 million.
Maria did not attend his husband’s funeral since 1959 after his death, as she blamed herself for the death. She claimed that if she was with Buddy Holly before his departure, then she could prevent him from going on the music tour, and boarding the plane. It also took years for her to listen to music again after the incident. Also check out Sean Evans Net Worth.
Height, Weight & other Physical Stats
As of 2024, 91 years old, Maria Elena’s beauty attracts the attention of the audience. Moreover, she stands at a height of 5 feet 2 inches and weighs 68 kg. To learn the details about her physical features, check the data in table below:
| Height | 5 feet 2 inches (158 cm) |
| Weight | 68 kg (149 lbs) |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Dark brown |
| Sexual Orientation | Straight |
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Words
Maria Elena Holly is also known as the widow of Buddy Holly. She protected his husband’s legacy, trademarks, images and intellectual properties. Moreover, she remarried with Joe Diaz, with whom she had 3 children, and now resides in Dallas, Texas. Maria Elena Holly net worth is $20 million, testament of her career as businesswoman.
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