Lyn May, a Chinese-Mexican icon from Acapulco, became a legend in the Mexican film industry, known as “The Goddess of Love.” Her rise to fame was marked by her fearless performances in Ficheras films and her captivating presence on Mexican television. However, her life took a tragic turn when a botched cosmetic procedure disfigured her face. Injected with a harmful substance, her once-striking features became marred, leading to a public struggle that mirrored her private pain.
Born as Lilia Guadalupe Mendiola Mayares in 1952, Lyn May’s journey began in humble circumstances. Growing up in Acapulco, she worked from a young age to support her family, eventually becoming a waitress. It was here that she met her first husband, an American sailor 30 years her senior. Despite the age gap, they married and had two daughters, but their relationship ended in tragedy, with Lyn accusing her husband of abuse.
After the divorce, Lyn returned to Acapulco, where she found work as a dancer. Her bold performances on television caught the eye of businessman Enrique Lombardini, who introduced her to burlesque. Though initially hesitant, Lyn embraced the provocative art form, earning widespread acclaim and solidifying her place in Mexican pop culture.
Lyn’s fame, however, came at a cost. In the 1990s, she underwent a cosmetic procedure that would change her life forever. A con artist injected her with cooking oil, leaving her face disfigured. Despite multiple surgeries, the damage was irreversible, and Lyn became a cautionary tale in the dangers of unregulated beauty treatments.
In addition to her public battles, Lyn faced personal tragedies. Her second husband, businessman Antonio Chi Su, died of prostate cancer in 2008. Struggling with grief, Lyn made headlines when she admitted to exhuming his body and keeping it in her home, unable to let go of her beloved partner.
Lyn May’s story is one of contrasts—of beauty and tragedy, love and loss. Despite the challenges she faced, Lyn remains a resilient figure in Mexican culture, her legacy enduring as both a symbol of glamour and a reminder of the perils of fame.
