Profile Text
Bell in 2011, photo by kathclick /Bigstock.com
Birth Name: Cita Maria Arena
Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, United States
Date of Birth: March 10, 1963
Ethnicity: *50% Italian, including Sicilian *25% Basque *12.5% German *12.5% likely British Isles
Maria Arena Bell is an American novelist, television producer, and writer. She was a writer and fashion consultant for soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful , and head writer for soap opera The Young and the Restless . She has also been billed as Maria Arena.
Maria was raised in Newport Beach, California. She is married to William J. Bell, Jr., with whom she has two children. William is the son of screenwriter and television producer William J. Bell and talk show host and soap opera creator Lee Phillip Bell; and the brother of television writer and producer Bradley Bell and actress Lauralee Bell.
Maria’s paternal grandfather was Simon Joseph Arena (the son of Angelo Giovani Arena and Angelina Lauricella). Simon was born in Massachusetts, to parents from Italy. Angelo was the son of Simon Arena and Coretta. Angelina was the daughter of John Lauricella and Tonia.
Maria’s paternal grandmother was Grace M. Nicoletti (the daughter of John Antonio Nicoletti/Nicoletta and Mary Grace Bellomo). Grace was born in Massachusetts, to Sicilian Italian parents, who were from Santa Caterina Villarmosa, province of Caltanissetta.
Maria’s maternal grandfather was Charles A. Bartholomae (the son of William August Bartholomae and Jane Agnes “Jennie” Burns). Charles was born in New York. Maria’s great-grandfather William was born in Washington, D.C., to German parents, William Bartholomae and Emma Caroline Goebel. Jane was born in New York.
Maria’s maternal grandmother was Carmen Ramona Basabe (the daughter of Juan Bautista Basabe and Escolastica Basabe Bengochea). Carmen was born in California, to Basque parents. Juan was born in Gautegiz Arteaga, Biscay, the son of Juan Jose Basabe Tremoya and Maria Micaela Ortuzar Goitisolo. Escolastica was also born in Gautegiz Arteaga, the daughter of Jose Martin Basabe Ortuzar and Juana Valentina Bengochea Zabaljauregui.
Sources: Obituary of Maria’s paternal grandfather, Simon Joseph Arena – http://legacy.com
Obituary of Maria’s maternal grandmother, Carmen Ramona (Basabe) Smith – http://legacy.com