[2] It was created by the high society woman Leonor Coello de Portugal,[1] who was inspired by other dolls such as the French Bleuette and the Argentine Marilú.

[2] Mariquita Pérez was an immediate success and became the most coveted doll of 1940s and 1950s Spain, although its high cost made it a toy reserved for girls from the wealthier families.

[4] Nevertheless, Mariquita Pérez had great popularity across all social classes, as her image was spread through songs, radio programmes and elaborate shop windows.

[2] Interviewed by RTVE, Amores and Amigó pointed out that the doll was launched on the market in the autumn of 1940, so the conception of the product must have taken place between 1939 and 1940, following the end of the Spanish Civil War.

[1] Mariquita Pérez was created by the high society woman Leonor Coello de Portugal, who was inspired by other dolls that were popular in Europe and the Americas,[1] like the French Bleuette and the Argentine Marilú.