"Beautiful Maria of My Soul" (Spanish: "Bella María de mi alma") is a mambo-style ballad with English lyrics, written by Arne Glimcher and Robert Kraft for the 1992 film The Mambo Kings, based on Oscar Hijuelos's 1989 novel. In the film, the character Nestor Castillo, played by Antonio Banderas, composes the song for his lost love, Maria Rivera.
The original recording was made by Los Lobos on 28 February 1992 and released on the film's soundtrack album. The song received nominations for the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 65th Academy Awards, a Grammy Award for Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or Television, and a Golden Globe for Best Original Song. Placido Domingo performed it at the Oscars. Los Lobos' version peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart. Later versions include a Spanish version, "Bella Maria de mi alma", by the Mambo All-Stars featuring Antonio Banderas, and a cover by Paola & Chiara on their 2002 album Festival.
