[3] In 1996, the multinational Nabisco bought it for over 4.5 billion pesetas[4] and in 2002, under the direction of United Biscuits, it closed its facilities, maintaining the trademark to manufacture it in other factories in Spain.

[7] Eugenio Fontaneda y Millán, a confectioner of Burgos who learned the job in Reinosa, began his activity in Aguilar de Campoo in 1881, making biscuits, cookies and chocolates in an artisan way.

For a time, the name of the biscuit was attributed in Spain to that of Eugenio Fontaneda's granddaughter and Rafael's daughter, but the most likely origins lie with Maria Aleksandrovna of Russia, in honor of her wedding to the Duke of Edinburgh in London, in 1874.

[12][13] María's sales in the Santander, Castilian and Basque markets grew exceptionally: in 1936, the factory had five ovens, although its progression was stalled by the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War.

The factory, located in the heart of the town of Aguilarense, was already a symbol of Fontaneda, and thanks to its expansion, it employed a large part of the population of Aguilar de Campoo.

The third family generation, with Eugenio Fontaneda y Pérez (grandson) at the helm, was involved in the development of the town, and in 1967, he was made president of the Center for Initiatives and Tourism in Aguilar de Campoo.