Nora Aunor, widely regarded as the Philippines’ greatest actress and singer, passed away at 71, her family and the government announced on Thursday. Honored as a “National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts” in 2022, the former child vendor will be commemorated with a state funeral.
“It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Nora Aunor, our cherished mother and legendary actress of television and film,” her adopted daughter, Lotlot de Leon, posted on Instagram Thursday.
Aunor died on Wednesday, though the cause of death was not disclosed.
Aunor appeared in 170 films, gaining her breakthrough role in the 1967 teen comedy All Over the World. Her darker complexion, distinct from the half-Caucasian stars of the era, resonated deeply with audiences, earning her the affectionate nickname Ate Guy (Big Sister Guy). She rose to fame as part of the popular “love team” Guy and Pip with actor Tirso Cruz III.
Her critical acclaim peaked in 1976 with powerful performances in Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos (Three Years Without God) and Minsa’y Isang Gamu-gamo (Once a Moth). Beyond acting, Aunor recorded hundreds of songs, including the 1971 hit Pearly Shells, one of the Philippines’ best-selling singles.
President Ferdinand Marcos hailed her as “a gift to the Filipino nation,” while the National Commission for Culture and the Arts confirmed she would receive a state funeral on April 22 at the National Heroes Cemetery, as announced by de Leon. “Over her remarkable 50-year career, she was our unparalleled actress, singer, and film producer,” Marcos said. “Her golden voice soothed us all, and her genius enriched the Filipino nation.”
Born Nora Villamayor, the fourth of five children in the impoverished Bicol region, Aunor supported her family by selling cold water and snacks at a train station. Taught to sing by her grandmother, she won a nationwide singing contest at 14. She married actor Christopher de Leon in 1975, with whom she had one biological child and four adopted children before their separation two decades later.
Aunor later moved to the United States, where she faced a 2005 drug possession charge at Los Angeles International Airport. She completed a court-ordered drug diversion program, avoiding prison, and returned to Manila in 2011 to revive her acting and singing career.
