Sonia Manzano
Actress Sonia Manzano who plays Maria Rodriquez on the children's television show 'Sesame Street' and the Muppet Grover lauch the new 'Super Grover' sandwich in honor of the 4,000th 'Sesame Street' episode February 27, 2002 at the Stage Deli in New York City. George De Sota/Getty Images

The popular children's show, "Sesame Street," which first aired in 1969, is bidding farewell to one of its leading and reputed stars, Sonia Manzano.

The 65-year-old Puerto Rican actress first appeared on the long-running PBS show in 1971. In 1974, she became a series regular, portraying Maria, whom with her TV-husband Luis owned a Fix-It Shop. Children of all generations fell in love with Maria, who now, nearly five decades later is saying goodbye to the small screens.

At the American Library Association Annual Conference early this week, the Latina star announced that she's retiring after 44 years of forming part of the "Sesame Street" family. She will not appear on the next season.

Though she's been an Emmy nominee twice for her acting, Manzano is in fact a 15-time Emmy winner for her writing on the popular kids show. Following her exit, Manzano revealed she's soon to release a memoir called "Becoming Maria: Love and Chaos in the South Bronx."

It's OK Big Bird, we're also sad to see her go and will definitely miss her loving character on "Sesame Street." But first, let us #TBT with this Maria and Big Bird moment below:

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