golden age of porn vanessa del rio

Vanessa del Rio (b. March 31, 1952) is a retired American pornographic actress.

Early years
Vanessa del Rio was born Ana Maria Sanchez and raised in Harlem, New York, the daughter of immigrants from Cuba and Puerto Rico background. Her mom would take her to see movies of legendary Latina sex symbol Isabel Sarli whom Vanessa credits as a big influence in her life. She left a job as a computer programmer in her early 20s and became “a waitress, then barmaid, then go-go dancer” becoming a porn actor because “they paid $150 a day, which was exactly my half of the rent”.

Career
Del Rio began appearing in adult films in 1974. In the span of about 25 years, del Rio has appeared in over 100 pornographic films and in several music videos, notably “Get Money” by Junior M.A.F.I.A.

Though del Rio retired from adult films in 1986, in part due to the AIDS scare prevalent at the time, she returned shortly thereafter, and continued her porn career until 1999. Afterwards, she remains somewhat active in the adult entertainment industry through her Web site and by making special appearances at award shows and conventions. During and after her porn career, she appeared on many TV shows as herself, including a 1996 episode of NYPD Blue.

Popular culture
Del Rio had an impact on popular culture. In 2007, the German art book publisher Taschen released a deluxe, heavily illustrated biography, Vanessa del Rio: Fifty Years of Slightly Slutty Behavior.

Filmography
Let Me Die a Woman (1978), Sandy
Then and Now #15 (1996) (V), herself
Give Me Your Soul… (2000), herself
Soul Men (2008), Full-Figured Neighbor