Los ricos también lloran ("The Rich Also Cry") is a popular telenovela produced in Mexico in 1979, starring Verónica Castro, Rogelio Guerra and Rocío Banquells.
Castro also sang the theme Aprendí a Llorar ("I learned to cry"), a song written by Lolita de la Colina.
It was watched virtually by the whole population and became for a long time a reference point, with multiple traces in Soviet and post-Soviet popular culture.
[1][2] In the first part, Mariana Villarreal lives on a ranch in the state of Guanajuato with her father Leonardo, a dying landowner who is presumed to be ruined.
Don Leonardo has taken refuge in alcohol, since the death of Mariana's mother, and since he suffered an accident that left him paralyzed.
Irma married Don Leonardo for mere economic interest, never loved him, and she was the one who fomented his vice for alcohol, so that he would leave the administration of his properties, and thus be unable to manage his fortune.
With the death of Don Leonardo, and believing herself the owner of everything, Irma expels Mariana from the hacienda, without caring about her fate.
Mariana manages to reach the capital, and forms a friendship with a poor young man named Pascual, better known as "Pato", who kindly offers his humble home to live.
He speaks with a great friend of his, the millionaire Don Alberto Salvatierra to take her to live at his home, and to give Mariana a job as a servant.
Don Alberto wants Mariana to feel comfortable in their home by including her to eat with his family during meal times at the table, without any restrictions.
Doña Elena lives worried about the welfare of her son, refuses to believe about the deplorable state in which Luis Alberto has fallen, affirming that in fact he is "sick", and that he needs the care of everyone.
Don Alberto is fond of Mariana, feels great satisfaction in helping her and educating her, since he sees in her a promising future.
As a result, Luis Alberto decides to play along; just for fun, and to annoy his father back, while Doña Elena believes that her son will change his attitude if he marries his niece Esther.
Esther goes to live at the house of the Salvatierra along with her nana Ramona, who loves her unconditionally and hides a great secret.
Luis de la Parra, old friend of Don Leonardo, visited him then learns of his death and goes in search of Mariana, since he has in his possession the testament of his father.
Irma fears losing the inheritance and demands Diego, her lover, to find Mariana in Mexico City.
Luis de la Parra hires an investigator to locate Mariana, but soon dies of a heart attack unknowing that Don Alberto knew him and gave him the testament shortly before his death, which is forgotten.
As the subplot thickens Ramiro sells Mariana's engagement ring after stealing various things and after Patricia's murder.
The police finally track down Dr. Ocampo, who knew of the murders Fernando ordered and Irma's and Diego's involvement.
Mariana will still know in her apparent poverty the happiness that only love can give, but when her true destiny is discovered, she will learn that the rich also cry.
Mariana sick by her pregnancy, travels to Brazil where Jose Luis is on a contract job to convince him but he rejects her.
Luis Alberto angry, sends her a telegram wanting a divorce and to give the baby's name Leonardo Mendizábal .
She passes out in the street and taken to a hospital in her final terms of her pregnancy, refusing to eat, falling in a deep depression and wanting to die.
We find Sara married to Juan Manuel who is a degenerate gambler and broke and starts extorting money from Luis Alberto to blackmail him about Maria Isabel's adoption.
Mariana then buys him clothes, gives him private teachers and gets him a luxurious apartment, which he and Cho'le live with Felipa.
In the end, the truth will be discovered when Luis Alberto, believes that Beto is Mariana's lover, tries to shoot him, but remembers the words that the private investigator told him and leaves the apartment.