Maria Elena Holly (born Maria Elena Santiago in 1935 in San Juan, Puerto Rico) was the wife of one of the founding fathers of rock and roll, Buddy Holly.

When Maria Elena was a young child her parents died, and she went to live with her aunt in New York City. In New York, she worked as a receptionist for a music publisher, and in 1958 she met Buddy Holly (who was playing in New York with his band The Crickets) when he dropped by the company. After a brief chat, he asked Maria Elena out on a dinner date. Since Maria Elena had never been out on a date before, she told Buddy that he would have to ask her aunt, who was very strict, for permission. Buddy showed up at the apartment and after negotiating with Maria's aunt, was permitted to take her out. After five hours into their first date at a popular restaurant, Buddy went out and returned with a rose and asked Maria Elena to marry him. Maria Elena thought that Buddy was kidding and she told him that he must ask her aunt permission if he wanted to marry her. Buddy showed up the next morning and asked for Maria's hand in marriage.

On August 15, 1958, two weeks after they met, they were married in Lubbock, Texas, Buddy's hometown. After a brief honeymoon, they settled down in Lubbock, but not for long. A disagreement broke out within the group, over the production of their music, which led to Buddy breaking away from the Crickets. Soon afterwards, Buddy and Maria Elena moved back to New York where Buddy performed with a new group. Maria Elena travelled in some of the tours. She would do everything from laundry to equipment set-up to making sure that the group got paid.

In 1959, Buddy Holly was on tour when he, together with Richie Valens and J.P. Richardson (The "Big" Bopper), died in an airplane crash.

Maria Elena had been married for only six months and was pregnant with Buddy's child at the time of his tragic death. Shortly after hearing the news, she miscarried. Years later, Maria Elena remarried and had three children.

Maria Elena now is a grandmother who travels the world promoting her first husband's legacy.

Maria Elena was played by actress Maria Richwine in 1978's movie, The Buddy Holly Story.

See also

• List of famous Puerto Ricans