Silvia Pinal, a towering figure in the Mexican and Latino entertainment worlds, passed away today in Mexico City. She was 94 years old.
Pinal left an indelible mark as an actress, entrepreneur, and matriarch of the talented Dinastía Pinal. Her extraordinary life reflects a journey of resilience, talent, and pioneering spirit.
Described by her youngest daughter, singer-songwriter Alejandra Guzmán, as an "unstoppable force," Pinal's dedication to her craft was unparalleled. She was also a politician and a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
A difficult childhood filled with dreams
Born to a young mother and a wealthy orchestra director who refused to assume his paternity until she was an adult, Pinal's early life was like a telenovela plot. The family lived in poverty until her mother married. Her stepfather adopted her when she was an older child.
Dreaming of becoming an opera singer, she found her calling in acting, making her mark during the golden age of Mexican cinema. Her early marriage to Rafael Banquells, a relationship that doubled her age, gave birth to her first daughter, actress Sylvia Pasquel. Pasquel, in turn, continued the family's artistic legacy, adopting her grandmother's surname as her artistic name.
Silvia Pinal becoming a legend
Pinal's career saw her sharing the screen with legends like Pedro Infante and Mario Moreno "Cantinflas." Her second marriage to Gustavo Alatriste led to the production of internationally acclaimed films like "Viridiana" (1961) and "The Exterminating Angel" (1962), under the direction of Luis Buñuel.
These projects not only brought her global recognition but also personal connections, as Buñuel became the godfather to her second daughter, Viridiana Alatriste.
Unfortunately, Viridiana died in a car accident at the age of 18. "Doña Silvia never recovered from Viridiana's death. She herself shared this with me," recounted Itatí Cantoral, who played Pinal in the biographical series about her life.
Saying 'no' to Hollywood
After her European work, Silvia Pinal returned to Mexican productions and even worked with Ricardo Montalbán. Later she moved to Los Angeles and succeeded in Hollywood. The Diva was inundated with offers, but after one attempt, she gave up. "My English is horrible," she admitted. So much so that in the movie "Shark," her voice was completely dubbed.
She starred alongside Burt Reynolds, one of the great heartthrobs of the 1960s. During that era, she also worked in Italian and Argentine productions. During those years, Pinal transitioned from star to entertainment industry entrepreneur, financing and producing musicals and comedies in theater. She also set up an Avon-like cosmetics company.
Facing domestic abuse
Her third marriage to pop star Enrique Guzmán was marred by his domestic abuse, ending in a difficult divorce. This union brought her two more children: singer Alejandra Guzmán and Luis Enrique Guzmán.
Alejandra Guzmán, following in her mother's footsteps, carved a niche in the music industry, becoming a renowned rock singer in Latin America. She was been incredibly close to her mother in the last years of her life.
The Pinal dinasty
Her home in Mexico City's Jardines del Pedregal was not just an abode but a symbol of her success and a hub for her family, including her famous granddaughters, Frida Sofía and Stephanie Salas, and great granddaughters the model, influencer and designer Michelle Salas, daughter of the iconic singer Luis Miguel, and actress Camila Valero. These women, each forging their paths in entertainment, further cemented the Pinal dynasty's influence in the arts.
Also present are the great gifts she received throughout her life. There, she gathers with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. The famous Frida Sofía and Stephanie Salas are her granddaughters. Michelle Salas, daughter of Luis Miguel, and actress Camila Valero are her great-granddaughters.
In that mansion are her portraits by Latin American masters like the Mexican Diego Rivera (Frida Kahlo's husband) and the Ecuadorian Oswaldo Guayasamín.
Dabbling in politics
Despite her misfortunes in love, including a boyfriend lost at the hands of her own daughter Silvita - other romances included actor Omar Sharif and hotel businessman Conrad "Nicky" Hilton (the first husband of Elizabeth Taylor and great-uncle of Paris Hilton) - Silvia Pinal continued to believe in love.
In 1983, she married for the fourth and final time to the politician Julio Hernández Gómez, then governor of Tlaxcala. After their divorce, Pinal was bitten by the political bug and, after winning the elections, became a congresswoman, a position she held for four years.
The new generations
Younger Latino generations got to know Silvia Pinal through her multiple television appearances. The project she was "most proud of" is "Mujeres, historias de la vida real," which she produced for 15 years, telling many of the stories her fans shared with her and those she experienced herself.
However, her television track record was almost as prestigious as her film career. Her first telenovela was "Los caudillos," which in 1968 told the story of Mexico's historical leaders. Among those she produced herself are "Mañana es primavera" and "Eclipse." In fact, her last work was in a telenovela: "Mi marido tiene más familia" in 2018.
Silvia Pinal last years
In 2019, she had a hip replacement. She also suffered twice from COVID-19. Even after hospitalizations, she was eager to return to work, displaying a work ethic that inspired her family and admirers alike. Her last work event was on August 28, 2022, when she was honored for her lifetime career at Mexico City's iconic Teatro de Bellas Artes.
Silvia Pinal's departure leaves a profound void in the entertainment world. Her life, encompassing triumphs and tribulations, stands as a testament to her enduring legacy in Mexican and global cinema. Her role as a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, intertwined with her professional achievements, highlights her impact not just on the screen but in shaping the lives of future generations. We bid farewell to Silvia Pinal, thanking her for her immense contributions and the rich legacy she leaves behind.
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