Maria Esperança is a Brazilian telenovela produced by SBT and originally broadcast from March 26 to August 7, 2007. It is a Brazilian adaptation of the Mexican telenovela María Mercedes (1992), created by Valentín Pimstein and based on the original story Enamorada by Inés Rodena. Adapted by Yves Dumont, with text supervision by Henrique Zambelli and Thereza di Giácomo, the telenovela stars Bárbara Paz and Ricardo Ramory. The story follows Maria, a humble young woman who sells flowers on the streets to support her family. Her life changes when she meets Eduardo, a wealthy man who marries her to protect his inheritance and challenge his greedy relatives. After his death, Maria becomes the heir to his fortune and faces the hostility of those who want to take everything from her. Amid secrets, betrayals, and family conflicts, she discovers love and learns to fight for her happiness.