Filipino actress and politician Nora Aunor has died aged 71, according to her family. Nora’s son, actor Ian De Leon, broke the news in an emotional Facebook post late on April 15.

“We love you ma. God knows how much we love you.. Rest in peace, Mom.. You are always here in our hearts and minds,” he penned.

‘I love you mommy,” Nora’s daughter Maret added. A cause for Nora’s death has not yet been disclosed, but it’s believed that she died in the upscale district of Pasig City in her native Philippines. While a cause of death hasn’t been shared, it’s known that Nora was suffering from a long battle with ill health in recent months, resulting in her stepping back from public events.

Nora’s death follows a period of ill health, which saw her step back from her busy public life in recent months ( 
Image:
Getty Images)
After she missed a media conference for her project Mananambal, the Manila Standard reports that director Adolf Alix Jr shared: “We all know how sensitive the situation of Ate Guy [Nora] is. The doctor has advised her to limit her participation in public gatherings due to her current condition. She wants to be with all of you, but she has to choose which events she can attend.”

Nora was also working as a politician and advocate, but earlier this year withdrew her candidacy as a nominee for the People’s Champ Guardians. Explaining her decision, she said: “I was also advised by my doctors that I should stay away from stress situations, like campaigning.”

On X, formerly known as Twitter, fans from across the globe have shared tributes to the well known actress, film producer, and musician.

“Nora Aunor’s talent was phenomenal. Her eyes conveyed thousands of emotions, and her grounded performances captured the sadness, grief, and resilience of ordinary Filipinos. A phenomenal talent and one of the greatest ever,” one person wrote.

Fans remembered Nora as ‘one of the greatest ever,’ after a decades-long career in film and music ( 
Image:
WireImage)
“A true icon of Philippine cinema. Nora Aunor’s legacy will live on through her incredible performances. My thoughts are with her family and friends during this difficult time,” added a second.

Nora was born in 1953, one of nine siblings who grew up in poverty. While she started working as a child selling peanuts and water to commuters, things changed when she entered and won a radio singing contest. She went on to enter national competitions, including Tawag ng Tanghalan – a televised show similar to our X Factor – which she won on her second attempt in 1967.

Just months after her win she signed a contract for eight films with a Philippine production company, and also broke into acting on TV with countless light-hearted roles aimed at the youth.

By 1972 she moved onto beefier, more mature roles and started raking in awards, while also keeping up her singing career and even establishing her own production company in 1973.

Nora married Filipino actor Christopher de Leon in 1975, and welcomed son Ian with him the same year. Alongside Ian, they adopted four other children: Matet and Lotlot, both actresses; alongside Kiko and Kenneth. She and Christopher divorced in 1996.