A mortal, and the foster sister of the Immortal, Richie Ryan who lived with her family from 1982 to 1987. Richie helped her land a modeling contract with the Immortal, Kristin Gilles, owner of the international modeling agency, The Kristin Agency. Maria was later threatened by Kristin who saw her as a rival, she tried to kill Maria by drugging her and pushing her into a pool to drown; which was a method she had used successfully in the past against other girls. Maria was rescued from drowning by Methos and Duncan MacLeod.