'Maria' is leaving 'Sesame Street'

After 44 years on PBS's children TV show "Sesame Street," Sonia Manzano who plays "Maria" has announced her retirement.

The Puerto Rican actress announced at a conference in San Francisco that she would be leaving the show. Manzano has been responding to fans on Twitter on her departure.

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https://twitter.com/amlibraries/status/615598035867844608

https://twitter.com/SoniaMManzano/status/616124446521208832

https://twitter.com/SoniaMManzano/status/616274008300896256

https://twitter.com/SoniaMManzano/status/616272712231587841

Manzano was 22 when she first joined "Sesame Street" in 1971.

WPXI