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

Silvia Pinal, a Mexican actress known as an icon for her work during the Golden Age of Cinema, died Nov. 28 at the age of 93.

Mexico’s cultural ministry on X shared that Pinal had died after starring in more than 60 films and plays over her decades-spanning career. She died after a urinary tract infection and years of health complications. Pinal’s official Instagram account also honored her.

“Your absence will always hurt me, but every memory of you will give me the strength to move forward,” the Instagram account shared. “As long as you live in my heart, I will always feel that you are still with me. I will love you forever, Mom. Rest in peace, Silvia Pinal.”

Pinal was known as a collaborator in the 1960s with the Spanish director Luis Buñuel, starring in the Cannes award-winning “Viridiana,” “The Exterminating Angel” and “Simon of the Desert.” She also had a successful career in television, starring in popular Spanish programs like “Silvia y Enrique” and “Mujer, casos de la vida real.”

Before appearing on the big screen, Pinal got her start in theater and radio. Her first feature film role was in 1949’s “Bamba,” directed by Miguel Contreras Torres. She went on to star in “The Doorman” and “The King of the Neighborhood.”

The Ariel Awards, Mexico’s equivalent of the Academy Awards, honored Pinal as Best Supporting Actress for 1952’s “A Place Closer to Heaven.” Later that decade, she went on to win Best Actress for both “A Stranger on the Stairs” and “Locura pasional” and was honored in 2007 with the Special Golden Ariel.

Later in her career, Pinal became intertwined with the world of politics. In 1991, she joined the Institutional Revolutionary Party (IRP) and ended up serving as congresswoman, senator and assembly representative.

Pinal is survived by her daughters Sylvia Pasquel and Alejandra Guzmán.