Carmen Sofía Álvarez Caicedo, professionally known as Sofía Álvarez, was a renowned Mexican film actress and singer of Colombian descent, born on May 23, 1913, in Bogotá, Colombia, and passed away on April 30, 1985, in Mexico City, Mexico.
Born and raised in Colombia, Álvarez relocated to Mexico with her family in 1928, marking the beginning of her illustrious career in the Mexican film industry. Her debut role was a small part in the 1930 film "Santa," the first talkie of Mexican cinema, where she played the role of a prostitute.
Popularly known as "the lady of the long braids," Álvarez enjoyed immense popularity during the 1930s and 1940s as both an actress and singer. She collaborated with the renowned actor and comedian Mario Moreno Cantinflas in the 1940 film "Ahí está el detalle."
Throughout the 1940s, Álvarez was characterized by her portrayal of elegant ladies in films such as "El sombrero de tres picos" and "México de mis recuerdos" (1943). She worked alongside the popular Pedro Infante in three films: "Si me han de matar mañana" (1946),"La barca de oro" (1947),and "Soy charro de Rancho Grande" (1947). One of her most celebrated films was "La Reina de la Opereta" (1945).
In 1950, Álvarez decided to leave the cinema to focus on her career as a radio singer. She returned to the big screen between 1957 and 1966, before retiring from the film industry. Her last film was "El Gángster" (1965),alongside Arturo de Córdova.
Álvarez was notable for her exceptional voice and delicate features, which greatly contributed to her characters' distinctiveness.
