Elena Rivera

Abuelita
Background information
Feature films	Coco
Video games	Disney Magic Kingdoms
Voice	Renée Victor
Performance model	Pueblito Guzman
Character information
Full name	Elena Rivera
Other names	Abuelita (by her grandchildren)
Occupation	Shoemaker Current matriarch of the Rivera family
Affiliations	The Riveras
Home	Santa Cecilia
Likes	Her family, cooking (especially tamales), Miguel's music, dogs, music (currently), her grandfather (currently)
Dislikes	Music (formerly), stray dogs (formerly), her grandfather (formerly), those who turn their back on family, her mother in distress, people rejecting her tamales
Family information
Other relatives	Mamá Coco † (mother) Julio † (father) Imelda † (grandmother) Héctor † (grandfather) Victoria † (older sister) Franco Rivera (husband) Enrique Rivera (son) Luisa Rivera (daughter-in-law) Berto Rivera (son) Carmen (daughter-in-law) Gloria Rivera (daughter) Miguel Rivera (grandson) Socorro Rivera (granddaughter) Abel Rivera (grandson) Rosa Rivera (granddaughter) Benny and Manny Rivera (twin grandsons) Rosita † (paternal aunt) Felipe and Óscar † (twin maternal great-uncles)

“My Abuelita? She's Mamá Coco's daughter.”

―Miguel, introducing his grandmother in the opening narration

Elena Rivera, though addressed as Abuelita (Spanish for "Granny"), is a supporting character from the 2017 Disney/Pixar film, Coco. She is Miguel's grandmother, acting as a protective parental figure to him. Even though she and her grandson have different views of music, they nonetheless have a loving relationship.

Background

“Abuelita runs our house just like Mamá Imelda did.”

―Miguel, opening narration

Elena "Abuelita" Rivera was the second-born daughter of Coco and Julio. Growing up presumably during her maternal grandmother Imelda's time, Elena was taught how to make shoes and the value of hard work and family along with being told the story of her infamous grandfather, a musician who walked out on her mother and grandmother long before she was born. Elena met and married Franco and had three children, Berto, Gloria, and Enrique. Before or after this, Imelda passed away, but Elena would still continue her rules, notably the ban on music, and raise the future generations of her family.

Official Description

Abuelita is Miguel's grandmother and the ultimate enforcer of the Rivera family's ban on music. She loves her family very much and will do anything to protect them. But when she gets angry, she wields a mean slipper.

Role in the film

Abuelita first appears during the opening narration, remarking on how thin her grandson is and insistently plying him with more tamales. Miguel remarks that she runs the household exactly like her late grandmother Imelda, particularly the music ban to extreme degrees as she confiscates a bottle he was playfully making music with, shuts a window as a Pizza Planet truck goes past playing music, and probably scaring off some men singing. Being as strict as she is, and makes sure no form of music comes by the family residence, as shown when she suddenly bursts out of the courtyard and yells "No music!" at three passing musicians, jolting to them run away in terror.

While getting supplies with her son Berto and her granddaughter Rosa at the plaza, Abuelita catches Miguel being offered to play a mariachi's guitar. Abuelita threatens the mariachi with her slipper and scares him off. Abuelita drags Miguel back home (while shooing away Dante by lobbing her slipper at him, which she then has Miguel go fetch) and she informs his parents of his activities. Abuelita takes him to the family's ofrenda where her mother Mamá Coco is, hoping to dissuade Miguel from the talent show. Abuelita enlightens Miguel the importance of their family on Día de Los Muertos, especially putting up the photos on the ofrenda. When Miguel brings up Coco's father (who Abuelita fiercely demands not to be mentioned), Coco suddenly gets upset, Abuelita comforts her mother; however, Coco is unable to recognize Abuelita to her visible sorrow. Miguel runs off while this happens which frustrates Abuelita. Looking at the picture of her grandmother Imelda for inspiration, Abuelita decides it is finally time to bring Miguel into the family business.

At sunset, Abuelita declares the official beginning of Día de Los Muertos and the family prepares for the celebration. She, her son Enrique, and daughter-in-law Luisa proudly invoke Miguel to work in the workshop, which concludes with her smothering him. After this, however, she and the rest of the family witness Miguel announcing that he has discovered his great-great-grandfather (believed to be Ernesto de la Cruz) and aspires to become a musician like him. Uncovering Miguel's secret stash of music memorabilia causes Abuelita to fear Miguel will abandon his family if he chooses this path. Abuelita pressures her grandson to pick a side; their lack of support causes Miguel to angrily deride his family's traditions, shocking Abuelita. Believing the guitar to be responsible for this attitude, Abuelita destroys it by smashing it against the ground despite the protests of Miguel and even the rest of the family. Abuelita then tries to comfort Miguel, but Miguel, completely broken, shouts that he doesn't want to be part of the family and runs off, where the family spends the entire night looking frantically for him, worried that they had gone too far.

The next morning, Miguel returns to the Rivera residence. Abuelita catches him with a guitar in hand, but Miguel darts into Coco's room before she can confiscate it. Abuelita and the rest of the family unlock the door to find Miguel with a catatonic Coco. Pushing Miguel aside, Abuelita comforts her mother trying to get her to respond to no avail. Being too blind to understand Miguel was trying to help Coco, she strictly tells Miguel to apologize to her. Having failed to help her, Miguel moves up to Coco and plays her a song her father wanted her to hear one more time. Abuelita attempts to stop him but is held back by Enrique, who urges her to let Miguel play as a way to cope. As the family watches Miguel perform "Remember Me" with Coco, Abuelita is surprised and moved to tears when the song restores her mother's lucidity. When Coco, having recognized her daughter Elena, asks her what is wrong, Abuelita tearfully responds that nothing is. Mamá Coco, inspired by the song, reveals her father's identity as Héctor. Abuelita then listens with joy as her mother begins to tell stories of Héctor and apologizes to Miguel, who forgives her for doubting him. After hearing the stories and what really happened to Héctor, she and the rest of the family decide to renounce the ban on music for good.

One year later, on the next Día de Los Muertos, Abuelita comes by the ofrenda to put up a photo of Mamá Coco (who passed away some time before) while Miguel explains its photos to his newborn sister Socorro. Miguel embraces his grandmother in forgiveness, meaning that she's proud that he now sees the importance in family and ofrendas. The family had also revealed in Héctor's letters to Coco evidence of Ernesto de la Cruz's crimes, destroying the latter's legacy. While setting up the festivities, Abuelita greets Dante with a treat, having apparently warmed up to him. She then proudly watches her three older grandchildren perform a song for their living and dead family members as her mother's spirit stands next to her.

Trivia

• Abuelita's habit of using her footwear as a weapon is a trait she inherited from her late grandmother. In real life, this is a common practice among Mexican matriarchs. Also, given their interactions with Miguel and Coco respectively, the way she embraces is similar to her late grandfather.
• In the novelization, Abuelita states she and Franco fell in love after she made him shoes he never got blisters. Her former hatred of music was not only because of Imelda's legacy but likely because of when her mother had a dancing accident which hurt her badly, terrifying her and her older sister Victoria (whom she, Coco and Julio outlived).

Gallery

Abuelita in a crossed stance.

Abuelita pinching an annoyed Miguel.

Abuelita in Dante's Lunch: A Short Tail

"Miguel, eat your food."

"Aw, you're a twig, mijo. Have some more."

(Miguel: "No, gracias.") "I asked if you would like more tamales."

(Miguel: "S-sí?") "That's what I thought you said."

"No music!"

"NO MUSIC!"

Abuelita discovers Miguel in Mariachi Plaza.

"What are you doing here?"

"You leave my grandson alone!"

"I know your tricks, mariachi!"

"What did he say to you?"

"My grandson..."

"...is a sweet little angelito querido..."

"...cielito!"

"He wants no part of your music, mariachi! You keep away from him!"

"I found your son in Mariachi Plaza!"

"You're right. That's just what he needs!"

"Dia de los Muertos has begun!"

"What is all this? You keep secrets from your own family?"

Abuelita & the rest of the family discover Miguel's secret love of music.

(Miguel: "I'm supposed to play music!") "Never! That man's music was a curse!"

"I will not allow it!"

Abuelita prepares to smash Miguel's guitar, fearing he might abandon the family like her grandfather had.

"There!"

"No guitar, no music!"

"Where have you been?"

Abuelita confronts Miguel, when he returns home the next morning.

"What are you doing with that?!"

Abuelita is furious to see that Miguel has brought a guitar home.

"Give it to me!"

"What are you doing to that poor woman?"

"It's okay, mamita."

"Miguel, you apologize to your Mamá Coco!"

"Well? Apologize!"

Tears of joy.

"Nothing, Mamá. Nothing at all."

Abuelita with Miguel and little Socorro

Abuelita and Coco's spirit watch Miguel and his cousins sing

References

v - e - d

Media Films: Coco (video/soundtrack) • Pixar Popcorn (A Day in the Life of the Dead/A Celebration of the Music from Coco) Video Games: Disney Crossy Road • Disney Emoji Blitz • LEGO The Incredibles • Disney Heroes: Battle Mode Books: The Art of Coco Disney Parks The Annex • Mickey's PhilharMagic • Pixar Pal-A-Round • PLAY! • Tropical America Entertainment: A Musical Celebration of Coco • Believe! Sea of Dreams • Follow Your Dreams • Mickey’s Storybook Adventure • TOGETHER: a Pixar Musical Adventure Restaurants: Casa de Coco – Restaurante de Familia • Miguel's El Dorado Cantina Parades: A Million Splashes of Colour • Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade • Dreams.... And Shine Brighter! • Magic Happens • Main Street Electrical Parade Disney Harmony in Color! Parade Fireworks: Disney Enchantment • Harmonious • Mickey's Mix Magic • Momentous • Together Forever: A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular • Wonderful World of Animation • World of Color: One • Illuminate! A Nighttime Celebration Halloween: Goofy's Skeletoons Street Party Characters Miguel Rivera • Héctor • Dante • Ernesto de la Cruz • Abuelita • Mamá Coco • Imelda • Enrique Rivera • Luisa Rivera • Chicharrón • Pepita • Frida Kahlo • Cecilia • Departure Agent • Emcee • Plaza Mariachi • Gustavo • Arrival Agent • Juan Ortodoncia • Head Clerk • Corrections Officer • Los Chachalacos • Security Guards • Alebrijes Locations Santa Cecilia, Mexico • Land of the Dead Objects Héctor's Guitar • Chicharrón's Guitar • Pixar Ball • A113 • Pizza Planet Truck Songs Remember Me • Much Needed Advice • Everyone Knows Juanita • Un Poco Loco • The World Es Mi Familia • La Llorona • Proud Corazón Other Songs: El Corrido de Miguel Rivera • La Bikina • Bésame Mucho • Un Mundo Raro Deleted: Dia de los Muertos • The Way of the Riveras See Also The Riveras