Maria Theresa Borges Leal, 93, professor of Spanish Medieval, Brazilian and Latin American literature at Rice University since 1966 died Saturday, November 30, 2019 at her second home. She was born in Cajazeiras, Paraiba, Brasil, July 4, 1926. She was the daughter of Professors Odilia dos Santos Formiga na Hildebraudo Leal.
She was made a dame of the order of Isabella LaCatolica by the king of Spain, Juan Carlos in 1987 for her contributions to Spanish culture and language.