Nora Aunor, one of the biggest stars in Philippine cinema who had a career lasting seven decades, has passed away.
Aunor died on Wednesday, as confirmed by social media posts from her children. She was 71, and no additional details about the cause or location of her death have been released.
Filipina actress Lotlot de León shared on Instagram that her mother “touched generations with her unmatched talent, grace, and passion for the craft. Her voice, presence, and artistry shaped a legacy that will never fade.”
De León mentioned that funeral arrangements and other details would be shared later.
Born Nora Cabaltera Villamayor in an impoverished family from eastern Camarines Sur province, Aunor sold water at a train station when she was young. She first became famous as a singer in the 1960s and later transitioned into acting. Over her career, she appeared in more than 200 films and TV shows, including many that became Philippine cinema classics. She won numerous acting awards.
Some of her most memorable roles were in films like 1976’s “Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos” (“Three Years Without God”), 1984’s “Bulaklak sa City Jail” (“Flowers of the City Jail”), and 1995’s “The Flor Contemplacion Story.”
Nora Aunor poses with the winning trophyAunor won several best actress awards, including for her role in 1990’s “Andrea, Paano ba ang Maging Isang Ina?” (“Andrea, What is It Like to be a Mother?”). She also won best actress at the Asian Film Awards in 2012 for her portrayal of a midwife in “Thy Womb.”
Even in her later years, Aunor was still active in acting, starring in the film “Mananambal” (“The Healer”) last year and appearing in the TV series “Lilet Matias, Attorney-at-Law.”
In 2022, Aunor was named a National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts, the highest honor for Filipino actors. In 2014, her nomination for the honor had been rejected by then-President Benigno Aquino III because of a past drug arrest in the U.S., which led to public outcry.
Her lawyer explained that Aunor’s 2005 arrest at Los Angeles airport was due to a pipe found in a bag that she did not pack. She was traveling with four assistants at the time. The charges were dropped in 2007 after she completed a diversion program.
Aunor was married to actor Christopher de León from 1975 until 1996. She is survived by their children: Lotlot, Ian, Matet, Kiko, and Kenneth de León.
