Maïté, born Marie-Thérèse Ordonez, became a household name in France through television cooking programmes in the 1980s and 1990s, celebrated for her generous portions and Gascon directness. She later fronted commercials for William Saurin, the French brand of canned ready meals, where Et merci William served as the memorable sign-off. Shared online as a short soundboard clip, the line now circulates among French speakers as a nostalgic in-joke about food, gratitude and old television adverts many grew up hearing at home.