María Muñoz was an emblematic presenter of Argentine radio. Largely because of her work – she was the voice of Radio 10 when that station exploded audience measurements and took them to unthinkable and unknown levels – but also because of her raw and painful life story: She was at her professional peak when she became ill, still young, and died. after a hard and uneven journey through the illness.
On April 29, 2003, Muñoz died at only 35 years of age.. The cover of Paparazzi which reflected both the news and the immense sadness it had generated, reached a powerful sales record. They were other times. The Internet was taking its first steps, streams, YouTubers or social networks did not exist, and AM radio represented a direct and simple means of communication. Anyone could find out just by turning it on in a house, in an office, walking, in a taxi or on a bus. Although people only knew her face when she arrived on TV, María Muñoz was already a figure loved by the public when she was diagnosed with violent breast cancer.
A few days after the 21st anniversary of the presenter’s death, a Twitter user reported that the Radio 10 studio, which has since been baptized “María Muñoz” in homage to her unforgettable work in front of those microphones, “inexplicably” changed its name and is now called “Estudio Negra Vernaci”since for some time it has hosted FM Pop broadcasts.
A person who introduces himself in “X” as “Jorge Taranto” (@jorgebaroni) wrote “CANALLAS. She was María Muñoz, she died on 04/29/2003 of a terrible illness, she was 35 years old. She was one of the magical voices that identified Radio10. In her memory the Studio was baptized with her name until these days when was replaced by another”.
THEY REPORT THAT THEY REMOVED THE NAME “MARIA MUÑOZ” FROM THE RADIO 10 STUDIO
Another Internet user, calling himself “El rego 161”, tried to correct him amid the wave of indignation generated by Taranto’s publication: “It didn’t replace it, it’s another study. Report well. Regards”. The response was also overwhelming. “Before publishing anything, I inform myself. That was the Radio 10 studio that bore the name of María Muñoz. An FM is currently broadcast from that studio. In the current Radio 10 studio there is no María’s plaque. Greetings”. Others confirmed that Radio 10 moved buildings and the one that was theirs is occupied by the POP, which decided to name those facilities “Estudio Negra Vernaci.” In the new headquarters of the 10, according to them, there is no mention of Muñoz.
Muñoz was the main announcer at 10 when that station, with the help of its owner Daniel Hadad, imposed a more frank and political style of communication than that of Rivadavia, who led the measurements until his emergence. El Negro González Oro with his overwhelming “El Oro y el Moro” and Chiche Gelblung with his traditional “Hola Chiche” were the spearhead of a mega successful program that featured the warm and clear voiceover of María Eva Muñoz. Nobody on the radio – or in life – should forget her.
