Silvia Pinal, Star of Mexico’s Golden Age of Cinema, Dies at 93

Silvia Pinal attends the 12th Malaga Film Festival opening in Malaga, Spain, on April 17, 2009. Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images

Mexico is mourning the loss of Silvia Pinal, a leading film and television actress widely celebrated for her contributions to the country’s “Golden Age” of cinema in the 1940s and 1950s.

The Mexican actress died on Nov. 28 at the age of 93 after being hospitalized earlier this month for a urinary tract infection.

Pinal’s daughter, actress Sylvia Pasquel, shared the news of her mother’s death in an online statement, calling her the “greatest love” of her life.

“God is celebrating because one of his most beloved daughters returns to his arms to fill the sky with joy, mischief, and art,” Pasquel, 75, wrote in Spanish, calling her mother “friendly, witty, and beautiful.”

“Your absence will hurt me forever, but every memory of you will give me the strength to move on, and as long as you live in my heart, I will always be able to feel you are still with me. I will always love you mom.”

Born on Sept. 12, 1931, in Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico, Pinal had a more than 70-year career as a performer.

After studying acting at Mexico City’s National Institute of Fine Arts and Literature, Pinal made her screen debut in 1949, appearing in “Bamba,” “El Pecado de Laura,” and “Escuela Para Casadas,” among other Mexican films.

She landed her breakout role in 1950, starring in the comedy film “The King of the Neighborhood” opposite actor Germán Valdés. Pinal appeared in “The Doorman” later that year, acting alongside Mario Moreno, better known by the stage name Cantinflas.

With more than 100 acting credits to her name, Pinal had notable roles in “Viridiana” (1961), “The Exterminating Angel” (1962), and “Simon of the Desert” (1965), all of which were directed by Spanish Mexican filmmaker Luis Buñuel. The actress also starred alongside actor Burt Reynolds in the 1969 Mexican American action film “Shark!”

In addition to her acting career, Pinal was heavily involved in Mexican politics. After joining the Institutional Revolutionary Party, the actress served as a deputy of Mexico’s Congress of the Union from 1991 to 1994, according to the Latin Times. For the next three years, Pinal was a member of the Assembly of Representatives of the Federal District before being elected senator in 1998, a position she held until 2000, according to the publication.

The ‘Great Diva’ of Mexico

A variety of Mexico’s government officials took to social media to pay their respects to Pinal, including the country’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, who offered her condolences to the actress’s family and friends.

“We mourn the death of the leading actress Silvia Pinal Hidalgo, whose cinematographic and theatrical talent is part of the cultural memory of Mexico. Many generations of Mexican men and women grew up admiring her,” Sheinbaum wrote on X.

Mexico’s secretary of culture, Claudia Curiel de Icaza, wrote : “I deeply regret the passing of the leading actress Silvia Pinal.

“She worked with great directors such as Luis Buñuel, and was a pioneer in theatre, paving the way for future generations. Her legacy as an artist and her contribution to our culture are unforgettable. May she rest in peace.”

Prominent members of the Mexican entertainment industry also issued tributes online.

Mexican vocalist Lucero, who acted with Pinal in the 2010 telenovela “Soy tu dueña,” wrote in a post: “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.”

“Thank you for your talent, for being the great diva of this country, for leaving an unparalleled legacy in each of your projects,” the multi-platinum singer continued in part. “Fly high, the sky welcomes you and you will be the brightest star up there.”

Actress Chantal Andere shared pictures of Pinal on Instagram, noting that the actress gave those who knew her “joy, love, friendship and endless laughter.”

“Today a star, a diva a great actress is gone. But also for me and my family a friend is leaving,” Andere wrote. “Take your rest and continue to be the one 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!!”

In addition to Pasquel, Pinal is survived by her daughter Alejandra Guzmán, a famous pop and rock singer.

On Thursday, Mexico’s Ministry of Culture announced on X that Pinal’s memorial tribute will be held on Nov. 30 at the Palacio de Bellas Artes, or Palace of Fine Arts, in Mexico City.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.