Lyn May, the dazzling Chinese-Mexican showgirl, is a name that has become synonymous with glamour, scandal, and the unyielding pursuit of personal strength. Known as “The Goddess of Love,” Lyn’s career in entertainment captivated audiences with her bold performances and captivating beauty. Yet, behind the glitz and fame lies an extraordinary life filled with personal trials, triumphs, and controversies that few could ever imagine.
Let’s explore the incredible journey of Lyn May, from her humble beginnings to the heights of her stardom, and how she navigated the rollercoaster of fame, scandal, and survival.
Born as Lilia Guadalupe Mendiola Mayares in 1952, Lyn May hailed from Acapulco, Mexico, with a unique heritage blending Chinese and Mexican cultures. Her early life was far from the glamorous spotlight she would one day command. Raised in a modest household, Lyn quickly learned that life was tough, and every contribution mattered. She helped her family make ends meet by selling souvenirs to tourists—a far cry from the world of show business that awaited her.
Growing up in a household where every penny counted, Lyn May’s work ethic and determination were forged early on. This gritty upbringing would become the foundation of her unstoppable rise to fame.
As a young woman, Lyn’s life took an unexpected turn when she fell in love with an American sailor who was 30 years her senior. Despite the significant age difference, the couple fell deeply in love, and Lyn moved to Mexico City with him. Together, they had two daughters, but behind closed doors, the marriage was anything but blissful.
Lyn’s husband, whom she later accused of physical abuse and the sexual exploitation of their children, turned her world upside down. After enduring years of darkness, she bravely left him, marking the beginning of her journey toward independence. This traumatic experience shaped Lyn’s fierce determination to reclaim control of her life.
After leaving her husband, Lyn May returned to Acapulco and began working as a dancer. Despite having no formal training, her natural charisma on stage caught the attention of TV producers, propelling her into the world of entertainment. Lyn’s career truly took off when she landed a role on Siempre en Domingo, one of Latin America’s most popular TV shows at the time.
It wasn’t long before businessman Enrique Lombardini, the owner of the famous Teatro Esperanza Iris, took notice of Lyn’s potential and invited her to perform in his burlesque shows. At first, she hesitated. Performing in provocative routines was uncomfortable for her, and the audience’s initial reaction was lukewarm. But within a week, Lyn fully embraced the burlesque style. That bold decision changed everything. Lombardini christened her “Lyn May: The Goddess of Love,” and she became a central figure in the Ficheras films of the 1970s and 1980s, a genre known for its humorous yet risqué stories of working-class Mexicans.
As the popularity of Ficheras films waned in the late 1980s, so did Lyn May’s prominence in the entertainment industry. However, her career was far from over. By the late 1990s, Lyn made a remarkable return to television, captivating audiences once again with her fearless public persona and bold personality.
Even as her career fluctuated, Lyn remained resilient, reinventing herself and refusing to be defined by the passing trends of show business. Her refusal to bow out of the spotlight cemented her status as a Mexican icon.
After her tumultuous first marriage, Lyn found love again with businessman Antonio Chi Su, whom she married in 1989. Together, they opened a successful Chinese restaurant in Mexico City. However, tragedy struck in 2004 when Chi Su was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Lyn stood by his side throughout his illness, but his death in 2008 left her shattered.
Grief took Lyn down an extraordinary and shocking path. In a candid interview, she revealed that she had exhumed her husband’s body and kept it at home, sleeping beside his remains. Her heartbreaking confession shocked the public, but it highlighted the depth of her grief and her struggle to let go.
Throughout her career, Lyn May was known for her striking beauty, which became a significant part of her public persona. However, her pursuit of beauty led to one of the most tragic chapters in her life. In the early 1990s, a cosmetic procedure intended to rejuvenate her appearance went disastrously wrong. Lyn was injected with harmful substances like baby oil and cooking oil, which were never meant for cosmetic use. The results were devastating—leaving her face disfigured and forcing her to undergo multiple surgeries to try to reverse the damage.
This tragic event serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unregulated cosmetic treatments, and despite her attempts to fix the damage, the botched procedure left permanent scars on Lyn’s life.
In August 2021, Lyn May made headlines once again when she announced that at the age of 68, she was pregnant with her 29-year-old fiancé Markos D1’s child. The news created a media storm, with many questioning the validity of the claim. Lyn even posted a baby scan on Instagram, with a due date set for early 2022.
However, the pregnancy announcement soon fell apart as Lyn deleted posts about the pregnancy, and Markos D1 revealed that the announcement was likely a publicity stunt for her farewell tour. This revelation added yet another twist to Lyn’s already complex and controversial life.
Despite the numerous scandals, public scrutiny, and personal tragedies, Lyn May’s life is a testament to her incredible resilience. From a young girl selling souvenirs in Acapulco to becoming one of Mexico’s most iconic showgirls, her story is one of survival and reinvention. Through every trial—whether it was a failed marriage, a botched cosmetic surgery, or the loss of a loved one—Lyn May rose above the adversity and continued to shine.
Lyn May’s life has been anything but ordinary. As a woman who rose to fame on her own terms, she has faced more than her share of public scrutiny, personal struggles, and incredible highs. From the highs of being dubbed “The Goddess of Love” to the lows of botched cosmetic procedures, Lyn’s story is one of perseverance, defiance, and strength.
Her impact on Mexican entertainment is undeniable, and even though her life has often been surrounded by controversy, Lyn May remains an enduring figure of beauty, scandal, and resilience. Through it all, she has left an indelible mark on the world—one that will continue to be celebrated for years to come.
