She Gave Up Her Organ to Save Him, But What Happened Next Will Break Your Heart

Being married to a Hollywood star can be difficult, but some couples make it work.

Ann Serrano gave everything for her famous husband — even one of her organs — but ended up being betrayed.

Ann Serrano might not be a name you immediately recognize, but she deserves to be known for more than just being “the wife of a celebrity.” Ann has built a career as both an actress and a producer. Some people may know her from *Arrested Development*, and she even appeared in an episode of *Curb Your Enthusiasm*.

Beyond her career, Ann is a devoted mom to a daughter she shares with a famous and groundbreaking actor. The couple met during a casting for a movie, which was Ann’s first casting job. They connected and got married in September 1993. Three years later, they welcomed a beautiful daughter, Mayan.

For a long time, their high-profile marriage seemed strong, but everything changed in the early 2000s when her famous husband got devastating news.

Doctors told him that his kidneys were failing because of a genetic condition, and he needed a transplant to survive. The surgery was urgent, but he delayed it for a year because he feared the media would find out. He didn’t want their 9-year-old daughter to read about his illness in the tabloids.

Even though he was a public figure, he managed to keep the illness a secret for some time. But soon, it became clear that he needed help. That’s when Ann offered something incredible — her own kidney.

For Ann, the choice was simple, as she said in an interview.

“It’s amazing to help another human being like this. You’re giving the gift of life,” she said.

The surgery was a success, and the famous actor was lucky that his body accepted the new organ. On top of that, he lost 45 pounds as his health got better. Thanks to Ann’s generosity, they looked forward to many more happy years together. But things didn’t turn out that way.

So, who was this man? None other than George Lopez, best known for starring in *The George Lopez Show*. Today, he is one of the most loved comedians, and in 2005, *Time* magazine named him one of “The Top 25 Hispanics in America.”

Abandoned by his parents
Born in 1961 in Los Angeles to a Mexican migrant worker, George Lopez had a tough start in life. His father left him when he was just two months old, and his mother left when he was 10. George was raised by his grandmother after that.

As a shy and introverted child, George spent much of his time daydreaming. No one could have guessed he would become a Hollywood star, but George turned his tough upbringing into comedy, using his pain to create jokes that connected with people everywhere.

“I started to find my comedic voice in the early ’90s, and it revolved around my grandmother as a sort of muse,” George once shared.

“She was really something. No car could go from zero to 60 as fast as my grandmother could go from calm to upset.”

**Discovered by Sandra Bullock**
It wasn’t long before Sandra Bullock noticed George, frustrated by the lack of Hispanic representation on TV.

ABC agreed, and in 2002, George became one of the few Latinos to star in a sitcom. The show was a huge success, with nearly 10 million viewers watching during its first season. George was the co-creator, writer, producer, and star.

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Despite the success of *The George Lopez Show*, it was canceled in 2007, and George wasn’t pleased. He famously told the *Los Angeles Times*, “TV just became really, really white again.”

Professionally, it was a big setback, but at that time, George had just survived a life-threatening health issue.

**Secret surgery**
On April 19, 2005, George was taken into Cedars-Sinai Medical Center under the fake name “Tom Ace,” unsure if he would survive the surgery.

Thanks to Ann’s selfless act, he made it through.

Both George and Ann had surgery in side-by-side rooms, and the next day, their daughter visited them in the hospital. Ann said she didn’t feel any different with just one kidney.

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Unfortunately, it all came crashing down, and this time, it was very public.

Ann discovered the heartbreaking truth by reading it in a tabloid. In that moment, she realized the man she had loved and supported was living a double life.

“It was a pretty devastating way to find out,” Ann shared on *TheHourGlass Podcast* in 2024.

This was something Ann couldn’t tolerate, and she made the painful choice to file for divorce. Unsurprisingly, their daughter Mayan stood by her mother’s side, offering support through the heartache.

Years later, Mayan shared more about her parents’ relationship on TikTok, even asking them directly why they divorced. Ann replied, “Your dad didn’t realize you have to stop dating other people when you get married.”

A year later, Mayan, who is also pursuing an acting career, posted another video with the caption, “He cheated. She divorced him. We kept almost everything.”

**Went into therapy**
George has been more reserved about the details but expressed regret for the pain he caused, especially to his daughter. The two didn’t speak for years.

Eventually, George went to therapy with her to work through their issues, admitting it was “awkward” but necessary.

“You have to be responsible for the trauma that you’ve caused,” George said. “For the first time in my life I said, ‘Yeah, I’m responsible for this, and I’m going to spend the rest of my life repairing it.’”

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“To be a father is a very special thing,” George told *ET*. He continued, “To be estranged from your child is the worst thing ever, and for the first time in my life, I owned up to my mistakes. I’m lucky Mayan took me back into her life, and a little bit of the show is about that.”

Father and daughter eventually healed their relationship, and it led to something truly special. Not only did they reconcile, but they also turned their struggles into art. Now, they co-star in the NBC comedy *Lopez vs. Lopez*, a show loosely based on their journey of fixing a complicated relationship.

Remarkably, despite everything, Ann and George maintain a good relationship. In fact, years later, Mayan asked them if they still loved each other, and both admitted they did. Ann even called George her “husband and friend,” while George simply said, “I love Ann.”

Netflix Series Declared ‘The Ultimate Show’ by Fans

Enthusiastic viewers are raving about a Netflix series, describing it as the ‘finest show they’ve ever watched,’ with many unable to resist revisiting it repeatedly.

The series has earned widespread acclaim, with fans praising its captivating storytelling and remarkable performances. Many have been binge-watching all five seasons, unable to get enough.

From the very first episode, viewers were hooked. One fan shared: “It’s the most exceptional show in recent years: packed with action, authenticity, drama, deception, love, and suspense… it encompasses all the elements to keep you engrossed. The lead cast’s performance is exceptional!”

Another viewer declared: “This is one of the greatest series I’ve ever watched. A profoundly impactful show. I adored it. The acting was outstanding. I recommend this series to everyone.”

Credit: USA Network

A third fan added: “A friend recommended this series to me, and I must say it was worth it. As I started watching, I grew increasingly curious about what will unfold next. It’s truly engrossing.”

A fourth comment read: “I adore this show. I’ve been following it since Season 1 and have never been let down – astounding performances by the actors.”

A fifth fan wrote: “It’s my preferred television show. Crafty, scheming, and brilliant characters. Unforeseeable. Sufficient twists, turns, and side stories to hold your attention.”

Credit: USA Network

The series was brought to life by director Joshua John Miller and writer M.A. Fortin, who collaborated to create this acclaimed show.

This American crime drama is adapted from the Spanish-language telenovela “La Reina del Sur,” itself based on a novel by Arturo Pérez-Reverte. The lead role is portrayed by Brazilian actress Alice Braga, known for her work in “Dark Matter” and “I Am Legend.” She stars alongside Peter Gadiot and Mexican actress Veronica Falcón.

The original series, which aired on USA Network, holds an impressive score of 8/10 on IMDb and 68% on Rotten Tomatoes.

The show’s synopsis reads: “Teresa escapes Mexico after the death of her drug-running partner. Upon settling in Dallas, she aims to become the country’s top drug smuggler and seek retribution for her lover’s murder.”

The critically acclaimed series draws inspiration from the novel “La Reina del Sur,” which is based on the real-life story of female drug kingpin Marllory Chacón. Known as the “Queen of the South” by Guatemalan media, Chacón turned herself in to U.S. authorities in 2014.

While the series first premiered in 2016, it continues to attract new fans who eagerly immerse themselves in its five seasons.

Lead actress Braga spoke to Forbes about the importance of the show’s representation: “It’s crucial to have Latinos in front of the camera because… when they watch the show, they can identify with it.”

She added: “There’s a vast Latino community, but if we lack Latinos in the director’s chair, in the writing room, in the decision-making spaces, such as executive producers, then we miss out on certain narratives told from that perspective.”

Despite its devoted fanbase, “Queen of the South” concluded after its fifth season. This decision came as USA Network shifted its focus away from original productions.

Fortunately, viewers can still stream the entire series on Netflix.

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