With the passing of the so-called superstar of Philippine cinema, Nora Aunor — whose real name is Nora Cabaltera Villamayor — on April 16, 2025, at the age of 71, the entire showbiz industry is in mourning.

According to her son, Ian de Leon, “She passed away peacefully last night, April 16, surrounded by those who love her the most.”

In an interview, Ian shared that Nora underwent a medical procedure. After the operation, she began having difficulty breathing, and from there, her condition deteriorated.

Nora was born on May 21, 1953, in Iriga, Camarines Sur. She was one of several siblings and grew up in poverty. She used to sell peanuts and cold water outside the Bicol Express Train Station. At a young age, her grandmother Theresa taught her to sing. The first song she learned was “The Way of a Clown.”

In 1967, at the age of 14, she joined Tawag ng Tanghalan (a singing competition). She lost on her first try but won on her second attempt and became champion. That marked the beginning of her stardom.

After winning the singing contest, Nora transitioned to acting. Her film debut was in All Over the World. Since then, she starred in more than 180 movies. Her most iconic role was as Elsa in the film Himala (Miracle) in 1982. The famous “Walang himala!” scene became a landmark not just in film history but in the hearts of Filipinos.

In 1995, she became the first Filipino actress to win Best Actress at the Cairo International Film Festival for The Flor Contemplacion Story. She is also the only actress who worked under all four National Artists for Film: Gerardo de Leon, Lamberto Avellana, Lino Brocka, and Ishmael Bernal.

Her onscreen pairing with Tirso Cruz III, known as “Guy and Pip,” became hugely popular. In an interview, Nora admitted that she truly loved Pip.

Meanwhile, she married Christopher de Leon in 1975. They had a son, Ian, and adopted other children: Lotlot, Matet, Kiko, and Kenneth. Their marriage was annulled in 1996, but they remained friends.

In the late 1980s, Nora moved to the United States, reportedly due to stress, controversies, and alleged drug problems. She was also linked to rapper John Rendez, whom she referred to as a “special friend.” He was reportedly one of the causes of tension between Nora and her children.

Reports also surfaced that Nora was allegedly married twice in Las Vegas — first to Richard Merk and second to her manager, Nori Sayo. However, Nori denied this, saying they lived separately and that same-sex marriage was not legal in their country of residence.

In 2005, Nora was arrested in Los Angeles for possession of illegal drugs. She pleaded guilty, paid a fine, and underwent rehabilitation. She completed the program, and the case was eventually dismissed.

Nora returned to the Philippines in 2011 and once again thrived in her career. In 2022, she was honored as a National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts.

From 2022 to 2025, she was frequently hospitalized due to breathing problems. She also lost her voice after a surgery in Japan, which deeply saddened her.

“When they destroyed my voice, it was as if they did it intentionally,” Nora once said in an interview.

In a February 2023 interview, Nora revealed that she nearly died when her oxygen level dropped critically low. She was brought to the ICU, where she was revived.

Because of her condition, she withdrew from her party-list candidacy and chose to rest and stay out of the limelight.

Nora Aunor was more than just an actress. She was a legend, an inspiration — a story of triumph despite hardship.

“She was the heart of our family, a source of unconditional love, strength, and warmth,” said her son, Ian.