The first transgender reality star from Britain, Miriam Rivera, had gender dysphoria since the age of four and loved people calling her a daughter of her parents, Maria Jesus and Fernando. However, her parents took their time to accept her revelation.
Miriam was assigned a male gender during her birth and was one of the four sons of the family. Also, as per her youngest brother Ariel Mendoza, now 40, Miriam was her mother’s favorite.
So, being the first one to find the body of her favorite child hanging at their home in Hermosillo, Mexico, was devastating for Maria.
It may even be worse for her, as 13 years earlier, she had faced the same tragedy of losing her eldest son in the exact location.
Even Miriam’s father, Fernando, who was unable to accept Miriam’s identity, regrets treating Miriam unfairly when she was alive, given he was religious and unable to accept Miriam’s change.
Story from Miriam Rivera parents, Maria Jesus and Fernando Mendoza
Miriam Rivers was born Hugo Cesar on January 20, 1981, in Mexico to Fernando Mendoza, her religious and uptight father, and Maria Jesus, the only one who supported her.
Fernando, currently 69, said he thought his daughter was under the effect of ‘demons’ when he saw ladies’ clothing, wigs, and shoes in Miriam’s room.
He even went as far as bringing a Minister home to perform exorcism.
Meanwhile, Miriam’s mother, Maria Jesus, currently 64, wholeheartedly accepted her child’s gradual gender acceptance.
Yet, Miriam had to flee her home at 14 because of her transphobic father and drop out of school after her boyfriend found out she was trans.
Maria recalls how sensitive Miriam was. Even today, in the recent documentary about Miriam’s life, Miriam: Death Of A Reality Star, her brother Ariel recalls Miriam’s troubled days, saying, “The press trashed her. People blamed her. Some still do.“
However, today, after 13 years of Miriam’s funeral, Fernando regrets being a bad father to Miriam.
He said, “I could never hug her, I could never kiss her and tell her “I love you, forgive me” and has now changed his perspective about Miriam and all other transgender people.
Meanwhile, according to Facebook posts, she was married to Daniel Cuervo, but her family says differently.
According to Ariel and Miriam’s close friend Daniella Real, Daniel was Miriam’s friend. They had known each other since Miriam was 16 but never married.
On the other hand, it was Daniel who posted about Miriam’s passing five days after she passed away on February 5, 2019. So, her family has yet to confirm the truth.
As of 2024, Miriam Rivera parents are still living at their home in Mexico, as seen from their interview for the documentary.
Additional Information
- Miriam Rivera took hormones at 11 and started living as a woman by 16.
- She never got gender-affirming surgery, even when her mother suggested living as a complete woman instead of a half-half.
- Miriam tasted fame and controversy from the 2003 show There’s Something About Miriam.
