Miriam Socarrás, a distinguished Cuban actress aged 85, recently shared the heart-wrenching revelation that she has not seen her only son in eight years and has yet to meet her twin granddaughters in person. This emotional disclosure was made during an interview aired on YouTube's Cubamastv channel on Thursday.
The revelation came during the podcast "Everyone Talks," hosted by actor Jorge Martínez. When asked by Martínez if she harbored any sadness in her heart, Socarrás responded with visible emotion, "I don't know my granddaughters. It's been eight years since I've seen my son, my only child."
"That is incredibly painful," she emphasized.
Her son, Mauricio Posada Socarrás, who is 54 years old, resides in Miami and is the father of seven-year-old twin girls. Socarrás explained that Mauricio is reluctant to travel to Cuba due to health concerns; the girls had frequent illnesses in their early years, and he fears exposing them to the viruses and hygiene conditions prevalent on the island.
Longing for Family Reunions
Socarrás mentioned that a potential solution could be meeting in the Dominican Republic, a common practice among Cuban families separated by emigration. However, her son is not enthusiastic about this option.
The separation remains an unhealed wound for Socarrás. "Seeing them online is nice, but it's not the same. I long to feel them, touch them, smell them," she expressed.
She shared what she often tells her son during their conversations: "I want to smell you, to touch you, to laugh with you, to do whatever makes me happy. It's so important for mothers."
Commitment to Her Homeland
Despite the emotional pain, Socarrás has dismissed the idea of emigrating, a suggestion she frequently receives. "Why should I leave Cuba when I was born here?" she asserted. Although she has been offered opportunities to stay in Mexico and Spain, she remains deeply connected to her homeland.
In Havana, she lives with her 38-year-old grandson, whom she affectionately calls "my guiding light." She continues to lead an active life, hosting the television magazine "Ruta 10" on Cubavisión and recently completing the filming of a telenovela.
Concerns for Old Havana
During the interview, she also expressed her sorrow over the decline of Old Havana, the neighborhood of her birth on Lamparilla Street. She described the streets plagued by sewage, accumulated trash, and walls crawling with worms. "The sewage and garbage have been there for months. I can't bear to see it; it's heartbreaking and makes me want to cry," she stated.
Socarrás celebrated her 85th birthday in April, surrounded by fellow Cuban artists. She is one of the island's most beloved figures in film and television, with a career spanning over 20 ICAIC films and 16 years as a presenter at the Cabaret Tropicana.
In 2025, she participated in the Brazilian film "O último azul," directed by Gabriel Mascaro, which won the Grand Jury Prize at the Berlinale that year.
Understanding Miriam Socarrás' Story
Why hasn't Miriam Socarrás seen her son in eight years?
Miriam Socarrás' son, Mauricio, resides in Miami and is concerned about traveling to Cuba due to health risks for his twin daughters, who had frequent illnesses in their early years.
What are the conditions in Old Havana that concern Socarrás?
Miriam Socarrás is troubled by the deteriorating conditions in Old Havana, including sewage problems, accumulated trash, and unsanitary conditions that have persisted for months.
Has Socarrás considered emigrating from Cuba?
Although Socarrás has received offers to stay in countries like Mexico and Spain, she remains committed to living in Cuba, her birthplace.