‘Ugly Betty,’ originally “Yo soy Betty, la Fea” is a Colombian telenovela (soap opera) that has left an indelible mark on the history of television worldwide. This production, created by RCN Televisión and written by Fernando Gaitan, has become a cultural phenomenon and a true icon of Colombian television.
“Yo soy Betty, la Fea” premiered on Oct. 25, 1999, and concluded on May 8, 2001, but its influence still lives on in the hearts of viewers. The telenovela was included in the Guinness World Records as the “most successful telenovela in the history of television,” and rightfully so.
The plot revolves around Beatriz Aurora Pinzon Solano, affectionately called Betty. Betty is an intelligent woman but considered unattractive by conventional standards of beauty. She works at Ecomoda, a fashion company, where she must face constant contempt and insults from her colleagues, especially Patricia Fernandez, Hugo Lombardi, and Marcela Valencia.
The global impact of Betty la fea
The popularity of “Yo soy Betty, la Fea” was not limited to Colombia. The telenovela became an international phenomenon and aired in over 180 countries, dubbed into 25 different languages. This global reach makes it one of the most influential productions in the history of television.
Furthermore, Betty’s story has been adapted in at least 28 versions in different parts of the world, making it the telenovela with the most adaptations to date. The universality of the plot, centered on themes of love, acceptance, and personal growth, has resonated with audiences worldwide.
One of the great achievements of the series was giving prominence to a female character who is highly competent professionally (an economist) but judged for her appearance, breaking the traditional telenovela mold in which the “beautiful” woman was the protagonist.
In its original broadcast, the telenovela began with audience ratings of 40% and reached up to 70% at peak moments of viewership in Colombia.
Triumphant return to the screen
The popularity of “Yo soy Betty, la Fea” has remained alive over the years, and in 2019, the telenovela had an exciting comeback on Netflix. With all its 335 episodes available on-demand, the audience could relive Betty’s story and her transformation into a confident and successful woman.
The return of “I am Betty, the Ugly One” through Netflix generated renewed enthusiasm for the story and characters, and the telenovela quickly became one of the most-watched programs in Latin America on the streaming platform. Audiences, both lifelong fans and new generations, fell in love again with Betty’s adventures and challenges.
However, in July 2022, Netflix removed the telenovela from its catalog due to licensing issues. But Betty’s story didn’t end there. The telenovela found a new home on Prime Video, where viewers can still enjoy all its episodes and relive the magic of this iconic Colombian production.
In 2024, RCN Studios and Prime Video released Betty, la fea: la historia continúa, a direct sequel to the original telenovela that brings back Ana Maria Orozco and Jorge Enrique Abello as Beatriz Pinzon Solano and Armando Mendoza. Set 20 years later, the series follows Betty as she tries to reconnect with her daughter Mila while coping with a crumbling marriage and the ghosts of her past. Despite her efforts to rebuild her family, new pressures at Ecomoda and old rivals threaten to upend her personal and professional life once again.
The sequel premiered on July 19, 2024, and its success led to quick renewals — a second season launched in August 2025, followed by a third confirmed in September 2025. In Colombia, the first season also aired on free television through Canal RCN, reaffirming Betty’s enduring place in the country’s cultural legacy.
Related: Five Telenovelas From Colombia That You Cannot Miss