María José Cristerna
Mexican lawyer, businesswoman, activist and tattoo artist
About María José Cristerna
Born 1976. María José Cristerna is a Mexican lawyer and tattoo artist, known for Body modification.
María José Cristerna Méndez (born 1976), known professionally as The Vampire Woman or, as she prefers, The Jaguar Woman, is a Mexican lawyer, businesswoman, activist and tattoo artist. She is known for her extensive body modifications, which she embarked on as a form of activism against domestic violence. She is recognized by Guinness World Records as the most tattooed woman in the world, with 96% of her body covered, and is one of the most famous personalities in the world of tattoo art.
Biography María José Cristerna was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco in 1976, and grew up in a religious family. At age 14, she got her first tattoo, the logo of the Swedish metal band Bathory. During her first marriage, she was a victim of domestic violence, leading her to decide to modify her body as a sign of strength, courage, and liberation.
In addition to working as a lawyer, Cristerna is a businesswoman and has her own tattoo studio and a boutique where she sells her own clothing line called Mujeres vampiro (Vampire Women).
Body modification Cristerna is recognized as the most tattooed woman in the world. 96% of her body is covered in tattoos, according to Guinness World Records. The remaining 4% includes the palms of her hands which is a problematic area to tattoo.
Her body modifications also include a split tongue, subdermal implants, piercings, ear expansions, eye tattoos, scarification, and dental implants.
She frequently attends international festivals and conventions on tattoos and body modification. She has also been invited onto various television programs, such as Taboo on the National Geographic Channel,
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Important facts
People in María José Cristerna's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped María José Cristerna's
Frequently asked questions
Who is María José Cristerna?
Mexican lawyer, businesswoman, activist and tattoo artist
When was María José Cristerna born?
María José Cristerna was born in 1976 in Guadalajara.
What is María José Cristerna's occupation?
María José Cristerna is a lawyer and tattoo artist.
What is María José Cristerna known for?
María José Cristerna is known for Body modification.
What nationality is María José Cristerna?
María José Cristerna is Mexican.
Sources & further reading
· Wikipedia: María José Cristerna
· DBpedia: María José Cristerna
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). María José Cristerna. https://biography.guide/maria-jose-cristerna/
MLA: "María José Cristerna." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/maria-jose-cristerna/.
Chicago: "María José Cristerna." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/maria-jose-cristerna/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-22 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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