Published Apr 16, 2025 11:30 PM PHT | Updated Apr 17, 2025 1:28 AM PHT
Manila, Philippines (UPDATE 4) — Nora Cabaltera Villamayor, known professionally as Nora Aunor, has died at the age of 71, her son, Ian De Leon, confirmed on social media.
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| From Ian De Leon's Facebook post |
In a heartfelt Facebook post, De Leon wrote:
We love you, Ma... Alam ng Diyos kung gaano ka namin kamahal. Pahinga ka na po, Ma. Nandito ka lang sa puso at isipan namin. (We love you, Ma… God knows how much we love you. Rest now, Ma… You will always be in our hearts and minds.)
De Leon also called his mother the “heart” of their family in a separate message:
With deep sorrow and heavy hearts, we share the passing of our beloved mother, Nora C. Villamayor “Nora Aunor” who left us on today April 16, 2025 at the age of 71.
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. She will be missed beyond words and remembered forever.
Details to be announced tomorrow.
Best known for her iconic role as Elsa in Himala (1982), Aunor was conferred the title of National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts in 2022.
Aunor’s death came just days after the passing of another legend, Pilita Corrales, who died in her sleep at her residence on April 12, 2025. Both Aunor and Corrales were grandmothers of actress Janine Gutierrez.
Aunor had been poised for a political comeback as the second nominee of the People’s Champ Guardians party-list in the 2025 midterm elections, but withdrew her candidacy due to health reasons.
As of this writing, the cause of her death has not been disclosed. — WALPHS.com