Venezuelan telenovela star Chelo Rodríguez dies at 84

Consuelo Rodríguez Álvarez, widely known as Chelo Rodríguez, a celebrated Hispanic-Venezuelan actress, passed away on Wednesday night, August 12, at the age of 84 in Caracas. Her death was confirmed by entertainment journalist Simón Villamizar.

Rodríguez was a prominent figure in television, particularly recognized for her starring roles in classic telenovelas such as "Rafaela," "La zulianita," "La loba," and "La usurpadora." Villamizar remembered her as an actress with an "impressive career" and noted her private nature.

In her later years, Rodríguez publicly shared her struggle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting voluntary muscle control. In March 2026, she appeared in a video released by a private clinic, expressing optimism about her treatment after completing 33 sessions of radiotherapy. The specific ailment was not detailed in the video, though media reports in Venezuela mentioned cancer.

Born in Spain, Rodríguez emigrated to Venezuela with her family as a child. Her television career began at Radio Caracas Televisión (RCTV), where she participated in musical programs before moving into telenovelas. An early significant role was in the 1971 production of "La usurpadora," which helped solidify her presence in Venezuelan television.

She later moved to Venevisión, where she developed a substantial part of her career, taking on both leading and antagonist roles. Notable works from this period include "La loba," "La señorita Elena," and "La zulianita." Her portrayal of the title character in the 1977 telenovela "Rafaela," written by Delia Fiallo, significantly boosted her fame both within Venezuela and internationally. Throughout the following decades, she continued to appear in numerous productions, with her last recorded television role being in the 2008-2009 telenovela "¿Vieja yo?" Beyond her television work, Rodríguez also had a career in theater and remained involved in cultural initiatives in Caracas during her final years.