Nora Aunor, one of the Philippines' biggest stars, dies at 71
Nora Aunor, who became one of the biggest stars of Philippine cinema during a career that spanned seven decades, has died.
Aunor died Wednesday, according to social media posts from her children. She was 71. No further details on the cause or place of her death were immediately given.
Filipina actor Lotlot de León said 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 said funeral plans and other details will be shared later.
Aunor, born Nora Cabaltera Villamayor to an impoverished family in eastern Camarines Sur province, sold water in a train station in her hometown in her youth. She first gained fame in her teens as a singer in the 1960s before moving on to movies. She amassed more than 200 credits in film and television that included many classics of Philippine cinema, and won dozens of acting awards.
Memorable roles included 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.'
She swept best actress awards in the country for her performance in 1990's 'Andrea, Paano ba ang Maging Isang Ina?' ('Andrea, What is It Like to be a Mother?') and won best actress at the Asian Film Awards for her portrayal of a midwife in 2012's 'Thy Womb.'
Aunor was still acting as recently as last year, starring in the film 'Mananambal' ('The Healer') and appearing on the TV series 'Lilet Matias, Attorney-at-Law.'
Aunor was named a National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts — the country's biggest honor for actors — in 2022. In 2014, then-President Benigno Aquino III had denied her the honor because of a previous drug arrest in the U.S., provoking broad outcry.
Aunor's lawyer said the 2005 arrest at the Los Angeles airport came because of a pipe found in a bag she did not pack, noting she was traveling with four assistants at the time. The charges were dropped in 2007 after she completed a diversion program, her lawyer said in 2014.
Aunor was married to actor Christopher de León from 1975 until 1996.
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NBC News
17-04-2025
- NBC News
Nora Aunor, one of the Philippines' biggest stars, dies at 71
Nora Aunor, who became one of the biggest stars of Philippine cinema during a career that spanned seven decades, has died. Aunor died Wednesday, according to social media posts from her children. She was 71. No further details on the cause or place of her death were immediately given. Filipina actor Lotlot de León said 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 said funeral plans and other details will be shared later. Aunor, born Nora Cabaltera Villamayor to an impoverished family in eastern Camarines Sur province, sold water in a train station in her hometown in her youth. She first gained fame in her teens as a singer in the 1960s before moving on to movies. She amassed more than 200 credits in film and television that included many classics of Philippine cinema, and won dozens of acting awards. Memorable roles included 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.' She swept best actress awards in the country for her performance in 1990's 'Andrea, Paano ba ang Maging Isang Ina?' ('Andrea, What is It Like to be a Mother?') and won best actress at the Asian Film Awards for her portrayal of a midwife in 2012's 'Thy Womb.' Aunor was still acting as recently as last year, starring in the film 'Mananambal' ('The Healer') and appearing on the TV series 'Lilet Matias, Attorney-at-Law.' Aunor was named a National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts — the country's biggest honor for actors — in 2022. In 2014, then-President Benigno Aquino III had denied her the honor because of a previous drug arrest in the U.S., provoking broad outcry. Aunor's lawyer said the 2005 arrest at the Los Angeles airport came because of a pipe found in a bag she did not pack, noting she was traveling with four assistants at the time. The charges were dropped in 2007 after she completed a diversion program, her lawyer said in 2014. Aunor was married to actor Christopher de León from 1975 until 1996.
The Independent
17-04-2025
- The Independent
Nora Aunor death: Icon of Philippine cinema dies at 71
Nora Aunor, one of the most revered figures in Philippine film, has died at the age of 71. Her children announced her death on Wednesday night, although no details have yet been released regarding the cause or circumstances. 'She touched generations with her unmatched talent, grace, and passion for the craft. Her voice, presence, and artistry shaped a legacy that will never fade,' wrote her daughter, actress Lotlot de Leon, in a tribute on Instagram. Ms de Leon added: 'Her light lives on – forever loved, never forgotten.' Born Nora Cabaltera Villamayor to a poor family in Iriga City in the eastern Camarines Sur province, she grew up selling water at train stations before rising to stardom in the 1960s as a teen singing sensation. She later moved into acting and went on to become a defining force in Philippine cinema with more than 200 credits in television and film. One of her most notable performances came in The Flor Contemplacion Story (1995), based on the real-life case of a Filipino domestic worker executed in Singapore. The role earned Aunor critical acclaim both locally and internationally. Other career-defining films included Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos (1976), Bulaklak sa City Jail (1984), and Andrea, Paano Ba ang Maging Isang Ina? (1990), the latter sweeping major acting awards in the Philippines. She received Best Actress at the Asian Film Awards for her role in Thy Womb (2012), in which she played a midwife from a remote island community. Ms Aunor continued working well into her seventies, most recently appearing in the 2024 television series Lilet Matias, Attorney-at-Law and with a cameo in the stage musical Isang Himala. She starred in Mananambal ('The Healer') last year. In 2022, she was named National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts – the Philippines' highest recognition for contributions to culture. This honour had previously been denied in 2014 by then-president Benigno Aquino III, reportedly due to a 2005 drug-related arrest in the United States. Her lawyer clarified at the time that the incident involved a pipe found in luggage she hadn't packed herself while travelling with four assistants. The case was dropped in 2007 following her completion of a rehabilitation programme. She was married to actor Christopher de León from 1975 until 1996. Together, they raised five children – Lotlot, Matet, Kiko, Kenneth, and their biological son, Ian. Among them, Lotlot, Matet, and Ian followed her footsteps into the entertainment industry. Ian de Leon described her as 'the heart of our family' and a 'source of unconditional love,' adding: 'Her kindness, wisdom, and beautiful spirit touched everyone who knew her.' Tributes have poured in from across the country, including from her longtime screen rival turned friend, actress and politician Vilma Santos, who wrote: 'Rest in peace, Mare. Our Superstar and National Artist. Maraming salamat!'
The Independent
17-04-2025
- The Independent
Nora Aunor, an actor among the Philippines' biggest stars, dies at 71
Nora Aunor, who became one of the biggest stars of Philippine cinema during a career that spanned seven decades, has died. Aunor died Wednesday, according to social media posts from her children. She was 71. No further details on the cause or place of her death were immediately given. Filipina actor Lotlot de León said 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 said funeral plans and other details will be shared later. Aunor, born Nora Cabaltera Villamayor to an impoverished family in eastern Camarines Sur province, sold water in a train station in her hometown in her youth. She first gained fame in her teens as a singer in the 1960s before moving on to movies. She amassed more than 200 credits in film and television that included many classics of Philippine cinema, and won dozens of acting awards. Memorable roles included 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.' She swept best actress awards in the country for her performance in 1990's 'Andrea, Paano ba ang Maging Isang Ina?' ('Andrea, What is It Like to be a Mother?') and won best actress at the Asian Film Awards for her portrayal of a midwife in 2012's 'Thy Womb.' Aunor was still acting as recently as last year, starring in the film 'Mananambal' ("The Healer") and appearing on the TV series 'Lilet Matias, Attorney-at-Law.' Aunor was named a National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts — the country's biggest honor for actors — in 2022. In 2014, then-President Benigno Aquino III had denied her the honor because of a previous drug arrest in the U.S., provoking broad outcry. Aunor's lawyer said the 2005 arrest at the Los Angeles airport came because of a pipe found in a bag she did not pack, noting she was traveling with four assistants at the time. The charges were dropped in 2007 after she completed a diversion program, her lawyer said in 2014. Aunor was married to actor Christopher de León from 1975 until 1996. She is survived by their children Lotlet, Ian, Matet, Kiko and Kenneth de León.
