Silvia Pinal, the iconic actress of Mexican cinema’s golden age and muse of Luis Buñuel, passed away at 93. A major figure whose legacy spans theater, cinema, television, and politics.
Silvia Pinal, one of the greatest figures of Mexican cinema, died on Thursday, November 28, 2024, at the age of 93, as announced by the Mexican government. An icon of the golden age of cinema from the 1940s to the 1960s, she leaves behind an exceptional career marked by remarkable versatility and an influence that transcends generations.
Born on September 12, 1931, in Guaymas, Sonora, Pinal grew up with a passion for the arts, which she nurtured from an early age. She began her career on stage before quickly making her mark in cinema. Within a few years, she became one of the brightest stars of an era when Mexico’s Churubusco studios rivaled Hollywood in Latin America.
Buñuel's Muse and Ambassador of Mexican Cinema
Her collaboration with Spanish director Luis Buñuel propelled her onto the international stage. In 1961, she starred in Viridiana, a cinematic masterpiece that won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. In this film, she played a nun leaving her convent, a striking role that showcased her talent for blending emotional depth with dramatic sensitivity.
This fruitful collaboration with Buñuel continued with two other major works: The Exterminating Angel in 1962 and Simon of the Desert in 1965. These films, now classics, established Pinal as an indispensable ambassador of Mexican cinema worldwide.
Throughout her career, Silvia Pinal appeared in 84 films and 42 plays, demonstrating an impressive range across genres. While her work with Buñuel earned her international acclaim, she also excelled in popular Mexican comedies. Among her most famous roles were El rey del Barrio (The King of the Neighborhood, 1950) with Germán Valdés "Tin Tan," and El inocente (The Innocent, 1956), where she starred alongside another Mexican cinema legend, Pedro Infante.
Pinal’s talents extended beyond cinema to television. She appeared in series totaling over 5,000 hours of airtime on TelevisaUnivision, making her a familiar face to generations of viewers. Her pioneering work on television further cemented her as a cornerstone of Mexican popular culture.
A Committed Woman
Beyond her artistic career, Silvia Pinal was also active in politics. She became involved with the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) and served as a deputy and senator, marking a significant chapter in women’s participation in Mexican public life. Her dual career, in both the arts and politics, made her a unique figure, symbolizing female empowerment and modernity.
Despite her public success, Silvia Pinal’s personal life was marked by deep tragedies. Her daughter, Viridiana, named after the film that brought her fame, tragically died in a car accident at the age of 19 in 1982. Years later, her granddaughter, also named Viridiana, drowned at just two years old. These personal losses, however, did not deter her from pursuing her artistic and political endeavors.
Reactions and Tributes
The announcement of her death sparked a wave of emotion. Minister of Culture Claudia Curiel de Icaza praised "her legacy as an artist and her unforgettable contribution to our culture." The TelevisaUnivision group described Silvia Pinal as "one of the most emblematic figures in the history of Mexican cinema."
Her passing marks the end of an era. She was the last great diva of Mexican cinema’s golden age, a prosperous period when the nation’s cinema shone beyond its borders. The Churubusco studios, where she filmed much of her work, remain a symbol of this glorious chapter in Mexican cultural history.
Silvia Pinal leaves behind an artistic dynasty. Her daughters, Sylvia Pasquel and Alejandra Guzmán, have also made their mark in the arts—the former as an acclaimed actress and the latter as a famous singer. Her granddaughter, Stephanie Salas, continues the family legacy as an actress and singer.
With AFP
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