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.

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

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Boaters and jet skiers are seen on a busy summer afternoon at Lake Lanier, June 9, 2024. Many parks on Lake Lanier will be closed over Memorial Weekend and beyond because of federal budget cuts.
(Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez