Nora Aunor dies at 71
Nora Aunor, known as the "Superstar of Philippine Cinema," has died. She was 71.
Her son, Ian de Leon, announced her death in a Facebook post late Wednesday, April 16.
"With deep sorrow and heavy hearts, we share the passing of our beloved mother, Nora C. Villamayor 'Nora Aunor' who left us today, April 16, 2025 at the age of 71," he wrote.
"She was the heart of our family—a source of unconditional love, strength, and warmth. Her kindness, wisdom, and beautiful spirit touched everyone who knew her," he continued. "She will be missed beyond words and remembered forever."
"We love you Ma. Alam ng Diyos kung [gaano] ka namin kamahal. Pahinga ka na po ma. Nandito ka lang sa puso namin," he said in another post.
Aunor, born Nora Cabaltera Villamayor, was first discovered after winning the singing competition Tawag ng Tanghalan in 1967. She would appear in minor film roles and record several singles.
In 1975, she became the main host of the musical variety show Superstar until 1989. It was the longest-running musical variety show on Philippine television until ASAP broke the record in 2018.
Later on, Aunor would showcase her acting prowess, most prominently in titles like Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos (1976), Minsa'y Isang Gamu-gamo (1976), Himala (1982), Bulaklak sa City Jail (1984), The Flor Contemplacion Story (1995), and Thy Womb (2012).
Throughout Aunor's acting career, she was seen as a rival of Vilma Santos in terms of filmography. But outside of the camera, Aunor and Santos are close friends.
In a 2023 interview, Santos noted that Aunor was her "kumare." And when the news of Aunor's passing broke, Santos was among the first ones to write a social media tribute for her, saying, "Rest in peace, Mare! Ms. Nora Aunor! Our Superstar and National Artist... Maraming salamat!"
During her five-decade career in acting, Aunor got over 200 acting nominations and awards here and elsewhere, the most for an actor in the Philippines.
She was nominated at the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences or FAMAS Awards a record 17 times. She was also bestowed the Gawad CCP for Film and Broadcast Arts by the Cultural Center of the Philippines in 2015.
Her acting prowess was also recognized abroad, including in Africa, Europe, Australia, and North America, while her singing talent bagged her several Awit Awards and Philippine Recording Distributors Association Awards.
She was named National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts in 2022. It should've happened in 2014, but then-President Noynoy Aquino removed her from the list of awardees because of her past drug use.
Based on rules, she was automatically nominated to become National Artist in 2018 due to her inclusion in the previous shortlist. She, however, was excluded again from the roster announced by former president Rodrigo Duterte that year, and instead went to director and writer Kidlat Tahimik.
Aunor was married to veteran actor Christopher De Leon. They have one biological child, Ian, and four adopted children: Lotlot De Leon, Matet De Leon, Kiko, and Kenneth. Their marriage was dissolved in 1996. (with reports from Nick Garcia)
