Tongolele, celebrated dancer from Mexico’s golden age of cinema, passes away at 93

MEXICO CITY — Tongolele, the legendary American dancer who revolutionized the nightlife in mid-20th century Mexico City with her unique rhythm and captivating hip movements, has passed away at the age of 93.
The announcement of her death was made by Mexico’s Secretary of Culture on X, stating, “Her stage presence and unique style made her a benchmark of entertainment in Mexico. Rest in peace.” Reports indicate that she died on Sunday night.
Known for her striking beauty, characterized by a distinguished tuft of white hair and eyes that shifted between blue, green, and violet, Tongolele was also recognized for her impressive physical presence. Despite initial criticism for her bold style, her exuberant spirit forged bonds with prominent figures, including former Mexican presidents and influential Mexican artists and writers of her time.
In a 2014 interview, she reflected on her unexpected rise to fame, saying, “I never thought, ‘I want to be famous.’ I just wanted to dance. I didn’t even realize that I was a star of the show, I didn’t even know I was successful, I was just happy dancing.”
Born on January 3, 1932, in Spokane, Washington, as Yolanda Ivonne Montes Farrington, she began her journey in dance at the age of 15. Shortly after, she found herself performing in various theaters throughout Mexico, from Tijuana to Mérida. A female supervisor encouraged her to adopt a stage name, which she chose as Tongolele, drawing inspiration from African and Tahitian cultural influences.
Her career flourished as she became the star attraction in Mexico City’s top theaters and starred in films such as “Mátenme porque me muero,” “Amor de locura,” and “Han matado a Tongolele,” which was even named in her honor.
In recognition of her significant contributions to the arts and her remarkable 65 years on stage, Tongolele was awarded the prestigious Agustín Lara award in 2012.