Silvia Pinal Dead: ‘Viridiana’ actor was 93

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

The Mexican Ministry of Culture on X said Pinal had died after appearing in more than 60 films and plays in her decades-long 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 on,” he said 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 in the 1960s as a collaborator with Spanish director Luis Buñuel, starring in the Cannes-winning “Viridiana,” “The Exterminating Angel” and “Simon of the Desert.” She also had a successful television career, with leading roles in popular Spanish programs such as ‘Silvia y Enrique’ and ‘Mujer, casos de la vida real’.

Before hitting 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’.

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

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

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