Maria Vassiliou (Greek: Μαρία Βασιλείου), also fondly referred to as Maro Vassiliou (Μάρω Βασιλείου) or Mari Vassiliou (Μαρί Βασιλείου), was a talented actress from Cyprus. Born on September 16, 1950, she began her journey in the performing arts as an amateur actress before making a significant career move to Ekali, Athens, after landing the lead role in the film *Evdokia*, directed by Alexis Damianos in 1971. Her remarkable portrayal of the titular character, a prostitute, earned her the Best Actress award at the Thessaloniki International Film Festival.
Vassiliou found herself frequently typecast in roles exploring themes of love and desire, featured prominently in films like *Erotism and Passion*. She delivered a notable performance as Chrysotheme, the sister of the protagonist Electra, in the influential 1975 film *The Travelling Players*, directed by Theodoros Angelopoulos.
Tragically, Vassiliou was diagnosed with cancer while in Cyprus. She sought treatment in London but sadly passed away in July 1989. Her battle with the illness was kept private, leading to speculation and rumors about her fate—some believing she had perished in a car accident in 1977. Vassiliou's legacy continues to resonate in the world of cinema, celebrated for her significant contributions to Greek film.
