María Conesa, also known as La Gatita Blanca (The White Kitten) (December 12, 1892 – September 9, 1978), was a Spanish and Mexican stage, television, film actress and vedette.
She began her career in Spain in the stage company named Aurora Infantil with her sister Teresita.
In, 1907 she was presented at the Teatro Albisu of Havana (Cuba), with La Gatita Blanca (The White Kitten), getting an overwhelming success.
Her major success did not originate from her vocal powers but the playfulness of her performances in the dances, accompanied by suggestive lyrics, caused the sense in the public.
Her popularity was so great that even a political party with her name was created: the PCE (Partido Conesista Estudiantil), which defended her of the attacks of the public and the press.
The Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa fell in love with her when she cut a button of his shirt in the representation of the play La espercheleras.
Later, Conesa together with Esperanza Iris and Prudencia Grifell, formed a stage company knows as Las Tres Gracias.
"The White Kitten" was a personal friend of several Mexican presidents: Porfirio Díaz, Francisco I. Madero, Venustiano Carranza, Alvaro Obregón and Plutarco Elías Calles The musician Agustín Lara was so impressed by her, that he composed two themes: La guapa y Monísima mujer.
She was also accused of nexus with the Mexican criminal gang La Banda del Automovil Gris.
In 1981, Televisa produced the serie Toda una vida, inspired in the Conesa's life and starred by the Mexican actress Ofelia Medina.