[2] In 1960, Bueno became the first woman to win the Grand Slam in doubles (all four majors in a year), three of them partnering Darlene Hard and one with Christine Truman.

[a] The same year she gained the first of her Grand Slam titles, winning the women's doubles at Wimbledon with Althea Gibson.

[13] She also won the singles title at the U.S. Championships after a straight-sets victory in the final against Christine Truman, earning the World No.

In her native Brazil, she returned as a national heroine, honored by the country's president and given a ticker-tape parade on the streets of São Paulo.

[citation needed] As a doubles player, Bueno won twelve Grand Slam championships with six different partners.

[18] Bueno died on 8 June 2018, aged 78, at a hospital in São Paulo, Brazil, where she had been admitted for mouth cancer.

[21] A minute's applause in honour of Bueno was held as a tribute before the Women's Singles final at the 2018 French Open the day after her death.

[22] In 1959 Correios do Brasil issued a postal stamp honouring her title at the Wimbledon Ladies Singles Championships.

The Seniors World Team Championships for the women's 50 age category is named "Maria Esther Bueno Cup" by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) in her honour.

[24] In October 2018, Maria Esther Bueno received the Medal of Sporting Merit from the Chamber of Councilors of São Paulo, according to the Resolution 03/2014.