Silvia Pinal, an award-winning actress recognized as a prominent figure in Mexico’s golden age of cinema, passed away on November 28 in Mexico City at the age of 93. The announcement of her death, which occurred in a hospital, was made by President Claudia Sheinbaum on social media.
Pinal, known for her roles on both stage and screen, had a career spanning over 100 film and television credits since the late 1940s. She was celebrated for her combination of glamour, humor, and sensuality.
The Mexican television network Las Estrellas referred to her as the country’s “last diva.” Throughout her career, she starred alongside notable actors such as Pedro Infante, Germán Valdés, and Mario Moreno, known as Cantinflas.
Her first competitive Ariel Award, equivalent to an Oscar in Mexico, was awarded for her supporting role in the 1952 film “Un Rincón Cerca del Cielo.” This accolade marked the beginning of her ascent to leading lady status, which she solidified with subsequent performances in films such as “Un Extraño en la Escalera” and “El Inocente.”
Pinal won additional Ariels for her performances in “Locura Pasional” and “La Dulce Enemiga,” showcasing her versatility and talent in complex roles.
Despite her success in Mexico, it was her collaboration with Spanish-born Surrealist director Luis Buñuel that garnered her international recognition. Their partnership began with the 1961 film “Viridiana,” a project for which Pinal lobbied to secure a role. The film received the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, despite being banned in Spain and criticized by the Vatican.
Pinal continued to work with Buñuel in subsequent films, including “The Exterminating Angel,” which has since been recognized as a classic. Her experiences with Buñuel were described as formative, and she spoke highly of the influence he had on her career.
Born on September 12, 1931, in Guaymas, Sonora, she studied acting from a young age and began her film career in 1949. Pinal also had notable projects in Europe and a brief venture into Hollywood in the late 1960s.
In addition to her extensive work in film, Pinal was involved in Mexican television, where she produced and hosted “Mujer, Casos de la Vida Real” from 1985 until 2007, focusing on dramas about women facing various challenges.
Her family includes her daughters, Sylvia Pasquel and Alejandra Guzmán, her son, Luis Enrique Guzmán, four granddaughters, and two great-granddaughters. Pinal experienced four marriages, all of which ended in divorce, including her union with rock singer Enrique Guzmán.
Pinal reflected on her partnership with Buñuel, stating that it significantly impacted her career and secured her legacy in the history of world cinema.