Sasha Montenegro – a Spy’s Daughter Turned Mexican Actress
Sasha Montenegro, the popular Mexican actress, has a fascinating life story that not many are aware of. Born as Aleksandra Acimovic Popovic in Bari, Italy on January 20, 1946, her life’s journey took an unconventional turn. The daughter of Yugoslav immigrants, her father was Zivojin Acimovic who worked as a spy for the British intelligence service during World War II.
The family had to move around frequently as her father’s job required him to travel to different countries in order to obtain security information for the United Kingdom. As a result, young Aleksandra grew up in Mendoza and Buenos Aires, Argentina. However, her dreams of studying journalism were interrupted when she was arbitrarily detained by police and soldiers during the dictatorial regime of Juan Carlos Ongania.
Witnessing popular insurrections against the de facto government, Aleksandra’s mother decided it was best for her to leave Argentina and move to New York for her safety. But before going to New York, Aleksandra decided to make a stop in Mexico. It was a decision that would change her life.
While in Mexico, she was proposed to join the cast of the film “A Dream of Love” (Rubén Galindo, 1972), and thus began her accidental acting career. The Argentine couple she stayed with introduced her during the film’s production. Despite initially rejecting the role, the lucrative pay and prospects of traveling across Mexico led Aleksandra to accept the offer and adopt the stage name ‘Sasha Montenegro’, honoring her Balkan roots.
The premiere of “A Dream of Love” in 1972 marked the formal start of Sasha’s acting career in Mexico. She went on to appear in movies alongside the likes of José José and took on significant roles in popular films. Unexpectedly, Sasha Montenegro symbolically buried her past life as Aleksandra Acimovic Popovic and embraced her journey as a Mexican actress.
Her story is truly one of transformation and reinvention. Sasha Montenegro’s life story is a riveting one, taking her from the daughter of a spy to an accidental actress and a renowned Mexican superstar.