Meet Maria Elena Holly, the wife of now-deceased of Buddy Holly. See her biography and photos here.
Maria Elena Holly
Buddy Holly died on February 3, 1959, but his name is in the news again as Peggy Sue Gerron wrote a book called “Whatever Happened to Peggy Sue?”. Maria Elena Holly, Buddy’s widow, has said she will sue if the book is published.
As a biography, Maria Elena Holly was born Maria Elena Santiago in 1935 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, so her age is 72. Her parents died when she was very young. Maria was working for a New York music publisher as a receptionist when she met musician Buddy Holly. Buddy Holly proposed on their first date, and although she thought he was kidding, they were married in Lubbock, Texas, August 15, 1958, less than two months after they had first met. She says,
“I fell in love with that man the minute he came through those doors.”
Maria sometimes traveled with Buddy’s band, Buddy Holly and the Crickets, doing laundry and setting up equipment.
After the band broke up, Buddy Holly began a solo career. While on tour with Ritchie Valens and “The Big Bopper” J.P. Richardson, the three were killed in a plane crash on February 3, 1959. Don McLean calls this date “the day the music died”. Buddy was only 22 years old. Maria was pregnant at the time, but she miscarried shortly after Buddy died. She was so upset by his death that she couldn’t listen to his music for many years and she left the theater during “The Buddy Holly Story” thirty years later.
Maria eventually remarried and had three children. She is now a divorced grandmother living in Dallas, Texas. Maria has spent her life protecting Buddy Holly’s legacy. She caused some controversy when she wanted to charge the city of Lubbock to use Buddy’s name in naming a street the “Buddy Holly Walk of Fame” and a terrace “Buddy Holly Terrace”.
Buddy had written and released the song “Peggy Sue” in 1957. A second song written by Holly, “Peggy Sue Got Married”, was released after his death. The namesake of those songs, Peggy Sue Gerron, has now written a book called “Whatever Happened to Peggy Sue?”, and it’s got Maria ready to take legal action. Maria says that the book is unauthorized and will harm her and her company’s reputations.
“It’s very interesting that this woman makes up all these stories. He never, never considered Peggy Sue a friend.”
Gerron’s book is based on 150 or so diary entries written while she knew Buddy Holly. For her part, Peggy Sue says Buddy “was probably one of the best friends I ever had.”
Maria owns the rights to Buddy’s name, image, trademarks, and other intellectual property, and her attorney has sent a cease-and-desist letter to Gerron. Maria even says that the original lyrics to the song were “Cindy Lou”, for Buddy’s niece, but that bandmate Jerry Allison wanted to change the lyrics because he had a crush on Peggy Sue, who he later married.
See more photos of Maria Elena and Buddy Holly below, and Buddy Holly and the Crickets performing “Peggy Sue”.
Maria Elena Holly Photos
“Peggy Sue” Video - Maria Elena Holly
January 26th, 2008 at 11:42 am
I think Maria Elena Holly Lies to us to. This thing about Buddy Holley’s Child is made up to. This is a True Story ? I think someone name Maria Elena Holly is making a lot of Money on someone elses Name to. The Holley Family should Sue her and get there name back to. Norman Petty di not Kill Buddy Holley.
Maria Elena may have Killed Buddy herself to. Not to go to a Funeral of her Husband Buddy Holley is Low and Very Cold Person you are Maria Elena Holly. I hope God Deals with you The Day you Died with you Lies to. Story are not Heaven on Earth to. Life has a lot of Ups and Downs all of us has to deal with to. More downs than Ups to.
January 28th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
Before jumping to conclusions make sure you know the facts. Maria Elena happens to be a very nice person and is just protecting Buddy. She is not lying. I know her personally. If you don’t know all the facts, please do not call her a liar. You have no idea.
January 28th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
I know her also. Its all about money as far as she is concerned. She has stolen from the Holley Family. It is also strongly believed she auctioned off items naming them to be the late Buddy Holley’s, but the items were not even made until after his death. The auction house could not prove authinticity and refuses to discuss it. Hmmm?
February 2nd, 2008 at 1:12 pm
Maria Elena Holly???? NICE??? I think not. Just ask the city of Lubbock. I have had the fortune of meeting the Holley family, and they have really been ripped off. The city of Lubbock has been ripped off all in the name of Maria. She’s a thief, she rude, and she should really be ashamed of herself. She’s not protecting Buddy, she’s all in it for the money. It’s sad that the city of Lubbock can’t recognize their own “native son” because of HER! And this joke about the book and Peggy Sue! She’s got to be joking. She has NO right to go after Peggy Sue. Thank goodness the REAL Holleys are much nicer.
February 2nd, 2008 at 1:12 pm
Only Maria Elena and Buddy know for sure. The rest is pure speculation on everyone’s part. I think it’s time to put it to rest … the music died.
February 2nd, 2008 at 1:20 pm
You talk about God & Heaven…God says, “Judge NOT lest you shall be judge the same.” Have you NEVER lied…at all? This woman lost her husband, & ‘maybe” a child…her husband LOVED her very much. Have some respect, if not for her, then for Mr. Holly. How do you think he is feeling, looking down from Heaven & seeing YOU, judge & criticizing the woman he is in love with! Think before you speak (type). My momma used to always tell me, “If you can’t say something nice…KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT”!!!!
February 2nd, 2008 at 1:28 pm
LOL, the truth about Maria hurts??? So, she lost her husband and child, yes,that is TERRIBLE. A grief I don’t understand. Have you EVER heard much about her 2nd husband and her kids that she DID have? Poor kids, growing up in the shadow of Maria being Buddy Holly’s wife. What about her 2nd husband? Geeze Louise! I’m sure in Heaven, Buddy is ashamed of how Marie is treating people. I still stand behind what I have said. Not judging, just relating the truth.
February 2nd, 2008 at 2:48 pm
shes buddys wife and if you like him than youd respect her wishs at this piont.if she says it its like him saying it im sure,i thought it was strange of her to not participate to the funeral and such but thats her own mistake to live with.i think it would be great for her to release some stuff back to lubbock but its her stuff and that would make her a better person.as far as peggy sue and him goes maybe he did say to her “lets run off” but that could be pulled outta context im married and flirt with old friends on a harmless adult level. mrs hooly we were his fans long before you two married let us continue to be his fans. we love you buddy and please forgive those that are just trying to express what they think would be right in there own minds
February 2nd, 2008 at 6:01 pm
I don’t know Maria Elena, but that had to be a great loss losing her husband of only nearly 6 mos. and the father of her unborn child. It is unfair to judge someone because of their actions or inactions. The fact that she was so overcome with grief that she lost her child speaks volumes of her love of him, and just because she didn’t go to his funeral doesn’t mean that she didn’t love him, it just means that she was so overcome with grief that she couldn’t face it. Come on, people, leave the poor lady alone.
February 2nd, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Everybody handles grief in their own way. Judge not less ye be judged.