Doña Bárbara

Doña Bárbara, a beautiful yet unscrupulous mestiza, is driven by a thirst for vengeance against men, a vendetta ignited by a past wrong from a white man. She is suspected of engaging in witchcraft, and her reputation for ruthlessness strikes fear into those around her. Her ambition knows no bounds as she relentlessly seeks to expand her domain by encroaching on the lands of others, particularly targeting the Altamira ranch. Once romantically involved with Lorenzo Barquero, she bears a daughter, Marisela, whom she subsequently abandons. This attachment to Barquero is fleeting, as she soon drives him off his land and begins to usurp control. Her cunning extends to manipulating local authorities and stealing cattle to fortify her holdings.

However, Doña Bárbara's formidable facade begins to crumble when she falls in love with Santos Luzardo, the rightful heir to the other half of the Altamira estate. Her affection for Luzardo marks a turning point, softening her iron grip. As her power wanes, her once-loyal followers desert her. In a final act of redemption, she refrains from shooting her daughter, Marisela, upon witnessing Luzardo's affection for her. In a moment of clarity, she transfers ownership of the Barquero land to Marisela, restoring the stolen land, and rides off into obscurity, never to be seen again.

Dr. Santos Luzardo

Dr. Santos Luzardo, a descendant of the original owners of the Altamira ranch, is a man of principle and determination. Raised in Caracas, he receives an education in law, which he later utilizes to navigate the turbulent legal landscapes upon returning to his ancestral lands. Disheartened by the deteriorating conditions of the ranch under irresponsible management, he is resolute in his mission to revive its productivity. To end the longstanding feud between the Luzardos and the Barqueros, Luzardo extends an olive branch to Lorenzo Barquero and his daughter, Marisela, welcoming them into the Altamira home.

Luzardo's legal acumen allows him to compel the magistrate, Ño Pernalete, to enforce proper legal procedures and conduct a cattle roundup to restore rightful ownership. Yet, his attempts to finance his endeavors through the sale of heron feathers are thwarted by betrayal and murder at the hands of Balbino Paiba, a treacherous overseer. Faced with ineffective local law enforcement, Luzardo adopts a more direct approach, avenging the theft by killing "The Wizard," Bárbara's henchman. Ultimately, his efforts culminate in marrying Marisela, thereby uniting the divided estate under one name and restoring harmony to the ranch.

Lorenzo Barquero

Lorenzo Barquero, once an heir to half of the Altamira ranch, is a man whose weaknesses are exploited by those around him. Initially ensnared by Doña Bárbara's charms, he fathers her daughter, Marisela. However, he is eventually overpowered by her ambition and is driven from his land. Barquero's downfall is compounded by his struggles with alcoholism, a habit that William Danger exploits to purchase Marisela for a mere five bottles of whiskey. Reduced to living in a swamp cabin, Barquero's fortunes take a turn when Santos Luzardo intervenes to resolve the family feud. He is brought to live at Altamira with his daughter and remains there until his death.

Marisela

Marisela, the daughter of Lorenzo Barquero and Doña Bárbara, is a young woman whose inherent beauty is initially obscured by neglect. Abandoned by her mother and sold by her father, Marisela's life takes a tumultuous turn. Her fate changes when Santos Luzardo intervenes, offering her a chance to rise above her circumstances. Her affection for Luzardo grows, emboldening her to challenge her mother's influence for his love. Their eventual marriage represents a newfound unity, merging the once-divided estate under a...