Amidst the nationwide mourning and the showbiz industry, **Ian De Leon**, Nora Aunor’s son, has finally spoken out about the real reason for the death of his mother — the so-called **Superstar of the Philippines**.

In an exclusive interview filled with emotion, Ian could not hold back tears as he recalled Nora Aunor’s last days. According to him, Nora Aunor had long been suffering from **complications in her throat and lungs**, the result of years of overwork, stress, and procedures she underwent to maintain her voice, which was the key to her success.

*”The truth is, she had been having difficulty breathing for a long time. She was admitted several times, we also had to hide her from the public several times so that she wouldn’t be stressed. She didn’t want people to feel sorry for her,”* said Ian, clearly holding back her emotions.

He added that in the last month before his mother passed away, her chest pains became more frequent and she had difficulty sleeping. But despite everything, Nora Aunor still tried to smile in public and not show that she was going through a serious illness.

*”She knows that many people love her. But behind all the praise and success, there were days when she felt tired. Not only physically… but also emotionally.”*

Ian also said that before her mother passed away, she asked for his hand and whispered *”I love you all… but I’m tired.”* These were the last words the Superstar uttered, before she was finally rushed to the hospital due to severe respiratory complications.

**According to Nora’s attending physician**, the direct cause of her death was **multiple organ failure** caused by a long illness and fatigue in her body. Although it was hidden from the public for a long time, now that she is gone, her family felt it was appropriate to share the truth so that fans would know how heroically Nora Aunor fought until her last breath.

Ian’s statement is not only a revelation of the cause of the Superstar’s death — but also a painful reminder that even the brightest stars also go through pain and fatigue.

As the entire nation mourns, Nora Aunor’s legacy grows stronger — not only as an artist, but as a mother, a warrior, and a legend who will never be forgotten.

Ian De Leon, family, speaks out on cause of Nora Aunor’s death
The orphaned children of National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts and Superstar Nora Aunor, Ian, Lotlot, Matet, and Kenneth de Leon, addressed the media on Maundy Thursday, April 17, 2025, to issue a statement regarding the death of their mother on the night of Maundy Wednesday, April 16.

The confirmation of Ate Guy’s passing came from a Facebook post by her biological son Ian, who is also an actor, and their son with ex-husband Christopher De Leon.

Ian himself became the spokesperson for the family. He thanked all those who loved, believed in, and supported their Superstar mother.

She helped many. She loved many. Many admired her because of her unique talent. “He changed many lives because of his kindness and authenticity, without any plasticity, without any negative things shown,” he said.

“As long as he loved truly and that is what is so contagious that many people love him. We cannot avoid the events of life. God has plans, He has more beautiful plans that we need to believe and have faith in Him.”

“On behalf of my siblings, my family, my children, and my wife, thank you very much to all of you,” he said.

After this, Ian read the confirmation of their mother’s passing.

“She passed away peacefully last night, April 16, surrounded by those who love her the most,” part of the statement read.

Ian was also curious if it was true that the cause of Ate Guy’s death was due to her surgery. It turned out that the veteran actress was confined to the hospital on April 10. On Holy Tuesday, April 15, the Superstar underwent angioplasty, something that was confirmed in a Facebook post by movie director and writer Ronaldo Carballo, who is still in shock over what happened because they were still talking on Facebook Messenger on Holy Monday, April 14.

Ian clarified that their mother did not die during the surgery.

“She did not. She was being operated on, and after that, she had a hard time breathing, and eventually all things went downhill from there, and that’s why they had to do another procedure after that,” he said.

Meanwhile, based on the viewing and mass details released by Lotlot De Leon, on Tuesday next week after Holy Week, the National Artist will be taken to his final destination, to be laid to rest at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig.