Margot Pareja, Radio Rochela Co-Founder and Comedian, Dies at 101

The death of Margarita Águeda Pareja Ramírez, known professionally as Margot Pareja, marks the passing of one of the most prolific figures from the golden age of Venezuelan media. Her family confirmed she died surrounded by loved ones, having celebrated her 101st birthday this past February.

Early Career and the Rise of Radio

Born in Caracas on February 5, 1925, Pareja began her artistic journey as a young woman. Her early success was rooted in radio, where she performed alongside her sisters, Carmen and Victoria. Together, the trio formed the musical group El Trío Armonía, a venture that showcased her vocal versatility and established her as a sought-after talent in the era of Caracas radio dramas.

As television emerged in Venezuela, Pareja made a natural transition to the screen. Her television debut in 1956 included a role in the RCTV production Palmolive. This shift allowed her to bring the comedic timing she had honed in radio to a broader national audience, eventually becoming a staple of the country’s growing entertainment industry.

Founding Radio Rochela and Iconic Television Roles

Pareja’s influence on Venezuelan comedy was cemented in the 1960s when she became a founding member of the historic program Radio Rochela. She shared the screen with legendary performers including Tito Martínez del Box, César Granados Bólido, and Pedro Elías Belisario.

Her ability to shift between dramatic roles and comedic sketches made her a versatile presence in the industry.

• El Show de Joselo
• Cheverísimo

In her later years, her work on the Venevisión program Cheverísimo earned her the affectionate title of the abuelita del humor—the grandmother of humor. This role kept her connected to generations of Venezuelan households, as she was known for her spontaneity and her knack for transforming mundane, everyday scenarios into memorable moments of entertainment.

Legacy in Telenovelas and National Cinema

While celebrated for her comedic contributions, Pareja’s acting range extended into the country’s most successful dramatic productions.

Production	Year
La Zulianita	1977
Laura y Virginia	1977
Emilia	1979
María Fernanda	1981
Ligia Sandoval	1981
Andreína	1981
Julia	1984

Her work in cinema was equally recognized, with appearances in national film projects such as the 1978 production in which she told someone they were crazy, and La Gata Borracha (1983). These projects, alongside her extensive television credits, solidified her status as a pioneer who helped shape the identity of Venezuelan popular culture.

Final Years in Miami

In her later years, Pareja resided in Miami, Florida, with her family. Her death was reported widely by Venezuelan media, including Últimas Noticias and Laiguana, with news of her passing first reaching the public through social media accounts such as PantallaDeOro, which cited information from her nephew, Luis Frometa.

The actress most long-lived in Venezuelan television will be remembered as the grandmother of humor in the comedy program of Venevisión in the 90s. Luis Frometa, nephew of Margot Pareja

Pareja’s career spanned more than eight decades, during which she witnessed the evolution of the Venezuelan media landscape from its golden age to the modern era. Her death has prompted tributes from colleagues and admirers who remember her not only for her professional contributions but for the sense of closeness and spontaneity she maintained with her audience throughout her long life.