Behind the formidable character of “Mami Nena” on Garena Free Fire, hides Maria Elena Arévalo, an 81-year-old Chilean grandmother who developed a passion for gaming late in life.
Maria Elena Arévalo, 81, enjoys her old age by playing “Mami Nena”, her character in the Battle Royale game Garena Free Fire. Three years after her debut in the game, she has hundreds of thousands of subscribers on YouTube, sharing her tips and games online from Chile. Initiated by her grandson after the death of her husband, she remains passionate, even if handicapped by scleroderma today.
“Mami Nena” initiated by her grandson, in homage to her husband
It was after the death of her husband in 2020 that “Mami Nena” turned to video games to combat loneliness. With the help of her grandson, she became a fierce rival, even entering competitions. She therefore embraced the world of Free Fire with success.
And the notoriety of the woman who operates from her home in Llay-Llay, about a hundred kilometers from the capital Santiago, has exploded, to the point of becoming a respected gaming influence. It is also through this new activity that she provides her advice, broadcasts her best parts and breaks the stereotypes linked to her age, now 81 years old.
With her YouTube channel, followed by nearly 650,000 people, “Mami Nena” has demonstrated that video games can be a source of social connection for all generations.
Maria remains passionate despite obstacles
Maria Elena Arévalo recognizes with emotion the role of her grandson, Héctor Carrasco, in her transformation into super “Mami Nena”. Without her support, for example, she would not have achieved the status of official ambassador of Free Fire nor was she invited to Mexico, her first trip abroad a year and a half ago. An event that she also celebrated on video.
Thanks to her activity as a gamer, symbolized by a little bird, named Benito, who accompanies her in each of her games in homage to her late husband, the octogenarian has joined the ranking of the 100 most important elderly people in Chile. “ Follow and kill » his targets and adversaries became his way of expressing his strength and determination, transcending the expectations linked to his old age.
Now much less active due to scleroderma, an autoimmune disease that can affect several organs, Maria remains passionate about video games. Although she is less present on social networks, she refuses to abandon this new passion and affirms that she will continue as long as possible. But let it be said, the story of “Mami Nena” is not an isolated case: more and more elderly people are engaging in this form of entertainment.
Source : TV5 Monde / AFP
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