12/07/2026 16:59 - Entretenimiento
The journalist shared the details of Sunday's visit and how her mother's strength surprised both her and the doctors.
Juan Carlos Calabró (1934–2013) was one of Argentina's most beloved comedians and television personalities, famous for iconic characters like "El Contra" and "Mingo". His humor defined Argentine television for decades.
Marina Calabró is a well-known journalist and TV host in Argentina, currently leading "Primicias Ya", an entertainment news program broadcast on América TV, one of the country's major free-to-air television networks.
Coca Calabró is Juan Carlos's widow and the matriarch of the family. Her resilience and warmth have made her a cherished figure among Argentine entertainment fans.
The Calabró family continues to capture the public's attention. Thirteen years after the passing of the unforgettable Juan Carlos Calabró, his daughters Iliana and Marina, along with their mother Coca, keep the family's bond with audiences alive. This past weekend, Marina experienced a particularly emotional situation when she visited her mother, who had been facing a significant health challenge this year.
Marina recounted that her mother had been hospitalized for 18 days. Although she was never in intensive care and remained in a standard room, the Calabró sisters were concerned about the risk of hospital-acquired infections — a common worry in Argentine hospitals, where antibiotic-resistant bacteria can pose serious risks to vulnerable patients. "If she catches any bug, it would be the worst possible scenario," Marina explained in an interview with Revista Pronto, one of Argentina's most popular celebrity and lifestyle magazines.
Fortunately, Coca showed an admirable recovery. So much so that the doctor who visited her at home afterward could not believe she had been hospitalized for that long. "This lady was hospitalized for 18 days — are you sure?" the doctor asked the sisters, astonished by Coca's excellent condition.
On Sunday, Marina took the opportunity to visit her mother, bringing a special request: facturas and a ricotta tart (tarta de ricota), since Coca had been craving them.
For our international readers: facturas are traditional Argentine pastries, typically enjoyed with mate (the famous South American herbal drink) or tea in the afternoon. They come in dozens of varieties — medialunas (croissant-like pastries), vigilantes, libritos, and many more — and are a cornerstone of Argentine social culture. Sharing facturas is a gesture of warmth and affection, deeply embedded in the country's traditions.
Upon seeing her, Marina found her mother looking fantastic ("hecha un toro," as Argentines say — a colloquial expression meaning "strong as a bull"), in high spirits and cheerful, with no traces of melancholy or sadness.
During the afternoon, mother and daughter spoke at length about Juan Carlos Calabró. While Coca recalled her late husband with joy, sharing anecdotes with a smile, Marina felt overwhelmed. "I went back home really down. She was the happiest, remembering him. Coca is like from another planet, almost extraterrestrial," the youngest of the Calabró sisters confessed, marveling at her mother's resilience.
Marina admitted to her partner, Rolando, that remembering her father had hit her hard, but she highlighted Coca's incredible strength in processing the loss with so much happiness and grace.
You can read the full interview with Marina Calabró in the July digital edition of Revista Pronto, available to download and read for free.
Despite the emotional weight of the visit, the story of Coca Calabró is ultimately one of hope and strength. At a time when many would succumb to grief, she chooses to celebrate the memory of her beloved husband with joy — a powerful reminder that love, when lived fully, transcends loss. The Calabró family's bond remains as strong as ever, and their story continues to inspire Argentines across generations.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
