Pinito del Oro

María Cristina del Pino Segura Gómez, known as Pinito del Oro (6 November 1930 – 25 October 2017), was a Spanish trapeze artist and novelist.^[1] She was known for her association with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus for seven years. She was born in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.

Cecil B. DeMille tried to hire Pinito for a movie about the circus, but she rejected it because DeMille did not want her to appear on the credits.^[2]

In addition to the circus performances, Pinito del Oro found time to publish some novels: Born for the Circus (Nacida para el circo) , The Eve (La víspera) and The Italian (El italiano). With them, she was a finalist in some literary contests such as the "City of Oviedo" and "Blasco Ibañez".^[3]

Pinito del Oro died on 25 October 2017 at her home in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria from stroke-related complications at the age of 86.^[3]