The Venezuelan actress Mirela Mendoza is as famous as she is controversial. She gained prominence for her roles in dramatic television productions and as a model in Venezuela, but her marriage in 2014 to David Osío, one of the so-called “boligarch” bankers, added a layer of controversy.
Mendoza is part of a group of Venezuelan television women who have either married or become engaged to wealthy businessmen, turning the fictional lives of the rich portrayed in Venezuelan telenovelas into reality.
Prior to marrying Osío, Mirela dated fellow actor Manuel Vicente Sosa Morales, known in the Venezuelan entertainment industry as “Coko” Sosa. On October 4, 2017, he was arrested for being involved in corruption related to contracts obtained with Petróleos de Venezuela (PDVSA). On December 15 of the same year, “Coko” was sentenced to four years and four months in prison after admitting his guilt in irregular contracts with the mixed company Petropiar S.A and agreeing to cooperate with authorities.