Legendary Mexican film and television actress Silvia Pinal has died at the age of 93.
Pinal, who made her debut during Mexico’s Golden Age of cinema, passed away after being hospitalized earlier this month for a urinary tract infection.
Mexico’s Secretary of Culture confirmed Pinal’s death on Thursday via a statement on X (formerly Twitter).
‘The Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico regrets the passing of leading actress Silvia Pinal,’ the statement read.
‘With a career spanning more than six decades, she participated in more than 60 films and plays. Her legacy lives on as a fundamental pillar of cinema, theater and television in Mexico. May she rest in peace.’
Pinal achieved international acclaim for her roles in three iconic 1960s films by renowned Spanish and Mexican filmmaker, Luis Buñuel — Viridiana (1961), The Exterminating Angel (1962), and Simon of the Desert (1965).
Legendary Mexican film and television actress Silvia Pinal has died at the age of 93; she is pictured in 2023 in Toluca, Mexico
Pinal, who made her debut during Mexico’s Golden Age of cinema, passed away after being hospitalized earlier this month for a urinary tract infection; seen in a still with Paco Rabal from the 1961 Luis Buñuel film Viridiana
Following Pinal’s passing, her daughter Sylvia Pasquel — also an actress — took to X to share a touching tribute.
‘Your absence will hurt me forever, but every memory of you will give me the strength to move forward, and as long as you live in my heart, I will always be able to feel that you are still with me. I will love you forever, Mom. Rest in Peace Silvia Pinal,’ she wrote.
She shares Sylvia with Cuban-born director Rafael Banquells, who was the first of her four marriages. They were married from 1947 until 1952.
Many stars from the Mexican entertainment industry also paid homage to the actress.
Lucero, who starred alongside Pinal in the telenovela Soy Tu Dueña, said, ‘My admired and beloved Silvia Pinal. I feel like you will always be with all of us who have admired you for as long as we can remember. You are one of my favorite actresses in life.’
‘I feel like I shared the stage with you only recently, I learned everything I could from you. I hugged you and enjoyed you so much for so many days, I feel very lucky to have been close to you during our filming.’
‘Thank you for your talent, for being the great diva of this country, for leaving an unparalleled legacy in each of your projects,’ Lucero added.
‘Thank you for every hug we gave each other, for every conversation, for every moment. Wonderful, funny, divine woman, beautiful in every way, I will carry you forever in my soul and heart. I hug your beautiful family with love, your friends, all of us who will always remember you. Fly high, the sky welcomes you and you will be the brightest star up there.’
Mexico’s Secretary of Culture confirmed Pinal’s death on Thursday via a statement on X; she is pictured in 2023
‘With a career spanning more than six decades, she participated in more than 60 films and plays. Her legacy lives on as a fundamental pillar of cinema, theater and television in Mexico,’ the statement read; Pinal seen in 2009 in Malaga, Spain
Following Pinal’s passing, her daughter Sylvia Pasquel — also an actress — took to X to share a touching tribute
Many stars from the Mexican entertainment industry also paid homage to the actress, including Lucero, who starred alongside Pinal in the telenovela Soy Tu Dueña
Actress Chantal Andere wrote on Instagram: ‘Today a STAR, a DIVA a great ACTRESS is gone. But also for me and my family a FRIEND is leaving’
Actress Chantal Andere wrote on Instagram: ‘Today a STAR, a DIVA a great ACTRESS is gone. But also for me and my family a FRIEND is leaving.’
‘A woman who only gave us joy, love, friendship and endless laughter. Today this news hurts a lot. My (PINIS) beloved. Take your rest and continue to be the UNIQUE WOMAN you were. I’m going to miss you a lot and remember with all the love in the world, that was what you sowed in the heart of those who had the fortune of being close to you for so many years!!’
Meanwhile television producer Carla Estrada shared a photo with Pinal, writing, ‘Today I saw goodbye to a unique woman who leaves an unerasable mark in the heart of México. My dear Silvia Pinal, thank you for allowing me to be part of your story and to open your heart. You will always live in my memory.’
Pinal was born in 1931 Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico.
She was raised by her mother María Luisa Hidalgo Aguilar, a seafood restaurant worker, and stepfather Luis G. Pinal, a journalist and politician. Her biological father Moises Pasquel was an orchestra conductor.
Pinal’s acting career started in the late 1940s on stage, working with her future husband Rafael.
At just 18, she rose to fame in Mexican cinema, starring alongside Germán Valdés in The King of the Neighborhood and Mario Moreno in The Doorman in 1950.
She went on to work with actor-singer Pedro Infante in Un Rincón Cerca del Cielo (1952).
Her second marriage was to businessman and film producer Gustavo Alatriste, and lasted from 1961 until 1967.
Though she stated numerous times that he was the love of her life, their marriage ended due to his infidelity and business problems between the pair.
It was thanks to Gustavo that she was able to make her film projects with Buñuel.
The couple also named their only daughter together, actress Viridiana Alatriste, after Silvia’s role in the 1961 Buñuel film.
Pinal’s most iconic roles came later in the 1960s, when she collaborated with renowned filmmaker Buñuel, considered by many to be one of the greatest filmmakers of all time
Together they made Viridiana (1961), The Exterminating Angel (1962), and Simon of the Desert (1965); Pinal seen in a still in 1961
However, she also ventured into Hollywood productions, appearing in films like Guns for San Sebastian (1968) alongside Anthony Quinn and Charles Bronson, and Shark (1969) with Burt Reynolds; seen in 2010
Viridiana died at the age of 19 in a car accident in Mexico City.
Later she married famous rock and roll singer Enrique Guzmán. They were together from 1967 until 1976.
The pair had two children together, singer Alejandra Guzmán (born in 1968) and musician Luis Enrique Guzmán (born in 1970).
Her last marriage was to Tlaxcala’s politician and then governor, Tulio Hernández Gómez, and lasted from 1982 until 1995.
Pinal’s most iconic roles came later in the 1960s, when she collaborated with renowned filmmaker Buñuel, considered by many to be one of the greatest filmmakers of all time.
In Viridiana she portrayed a novice grappling with faith. The film was produced by her second husband, Gustavo.
Viridiana was banned in Spain by the Franco regime and condemned by the Vatican for its religious themes.
Even in her native Mexico, the film was prohibited. However, she managed to smuggle a print back home for private screenings.
She was married four times and is survived by her three children, Sylvia, whom she shares with Cuban-born director Rafael Banquells, and Alejandra and Luis, whom she shares with rock and roll singer Enrique Guzmán; she is pictured in 2010
Pinal’s extensive filmography, spanning over 100 credits, primarily focused on Mexican cinema.
However, she also ventured into Hollywood productions, appearing in films like Guns for San Sebastian (1968) alongside Anthony Quinn and Charles Bronson, and Shark (1969) with Burt Reynolds.
She was also a prominent figure in Mexican theater. She starred in and produced local adaptations of Broadway musicals like Hello, Dolly!, A Chorus Line, and Cats. Additionally, she owned several theaters in Mexico City.
Pinal later ventured into politics, serving as a federal lawmaker in the early 1990s. She also led the Mexican actors guild ANDA from 2010 to 2014.