In the mid-19th century, in a time of Victorian morality, challenging the rules of the aristocracy to which she belongs, Matilde Peñalver Beristáin, falls in love with Adolfo Solís, an army soldier with no fortune; trusting that her father, Hilario – a fair and kind man – will let her marry him.

Using all kinds of intrigues, Augusta and her son Humberto send Adolfo to prison and convince Matilde to believe that he is married and has children.

Overwhelmed and in despair, Matilde surrenders to her mother's pressure and agrees to marry Manuel, especially after she learns that he has paid the family's debts.

Meanwhile, Adolfo, after an intense and frantic search finds Matilde and, intending to bring her back, poses as Manuel's new administrator.

Heartbroken, Adolfo accepts his reality and leaves the ranch the same day, that Matilde announces to her husband that she's pregnant.

Manuel and Matilde's relationship will suffer and prosper during times of civil unrest, political and societal intrigue, and subterfuge.

[12] Due to the enormous popularity of Amor Real, the entire telenovela was reruned for the second time after a public demand, only four months after the original airing finalized.

[2] When the telenovela aired during prime time on Univision, it frequently managed to beat leading U.S. networks in the ratings.

[15] The telenovela also had successful results when it aired in Spain, on the Spanish national television, TVE, where it was shown in the afternoon, in 2005.