Maria Santelli

Maria Santelli was a member of the twins’ class at Sweet Valley High School. She was a pretty, popular brunette who was on the cheerleading squad, a member of the Pi Beta Alpha sorority, and close friends with Elizabeth Wakefield. She dated Winston Egbert in high school, and was briefly engaged to Michael Harris before she met Winston. Her father Peter ran for mayor of Sweet Valley and won the election after Ned Wakefield withdrew at the end of The Parent Plot

Characterization
Given that a popular girl like Maria dated a geek like Winston, one can assume that Maria isn’t as shallow as Jessica Wakefield, Lila Fowler, or girls like them. Amy Sutton seems to have been friends with Maria, though the latter is aware of her being uncomfortable with her friendship with Enid Rollins. Maria's friendship with Elizabeth is very close and is one of the few people in school she truly likes. Although, she fits in with Jessica's group of friend, Maria doesn't like her at all due to her shallowness.

According to the cover of SVH regular book 34, Forbidden Love, Maria has dark curly hair and grey eyes. However, other books state that she has brown eyes.

The only series Maria has made major appearances in is Sweet Valley High (Book Series). She is alluded to in Sweet Valley University, at the time of which she and Winston have broken up.

Her surname may indicate Italian ancestry, but this is uncertain.