Filipino movie icon Nora Aunor has died aged just 71.
Aunor’s death was confirmed by her son Ian on Facebook Wednesday night.
He wrote: ‘We love you ma,’ then in Filipino added: ‘God knows how much we love you.. Rest in peace, Mom.. You are always here in our hearts and minds.’
Aunor’s daughter Maret also paid tribute, writing: ‘I love you mommy.’
A cause of death has not been given for Aunor, who was described as the top ‘superstar’ of Filipino cinema.
But she had hinted at health troubles in February 2023, when she claimed she’d died for three minutes after suffering an oxygen shortage.
Aunor said afterwards: ‘What happened, I don’t know, no one helped. They didn’t rush to give me oxygen.
‘I went to bed [and] I don’t know what happened. When I woke up, I was in the ICU.’
It is unclear if Aunor’s death was connected to that health scare.
Filipino movie star Nora Aunor, pictured at the Venice Film Festival in 2012, has died aged just 71
Aunor Speaks After Receiving the 10th ‘U P Gawad Plaridel’ a Lifetime Achievement Award to an Outstanding Media Practitioner in Quezon City East of Manila Philippines 27 August 2014
Aunor joined the annual lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Metro Manila Pride March in Marikina City in 2024
Aunor was born in the Philippines Iriga City and started her career as a singer during the 1960s.
She was famed for her powerful voice, ABS CBN reported.
Aunor then became an actress and was hailed for her quintessential Filipino looks during a time when many of the country’s leading actresses sought to portray a paler, more westernized appearance.
Aunor hit her acting peak during the 1980s and early 1990s with roles in 1982’s Himala, 1984’s Bulaklak sa City Jail and 1995’s The Flor Contemplation Story.
She was named a National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts by the Philippines National Commission for Culture and the Arts in 2022.
That is the highest honor that can be granted to an artist by the country’s government.
Aunor is seen, center, in the 1980 Filipino drama Bona. She hit her acting peak around this time
Aunor from the film ‘Thy Womb’ poses during the 69th Venice Film Festival at the Excelsior Hotel on September 6, 2012
Aunor continued acting well into the 2010s and won best actress at the 2013 Asian Film Awards for her gripping portrayal of a midwife in a Filipino movie called The Womb.
Her last movie was the horror film Mananambal, which came out in February.
Aunor was unable to attend the premiere, citing health problems.
According to local media, Aunor was set to run for political office in May before she withdrew her candidacy.
