Veteran actress, politician and beloved superstar Nora Aunor has passed away at the age of 71.

Her son, Ian De Leon, confirmed the sad news in a Facebook post on Tuesday, 16 April 2025. Sharing a photo of his late mother, he wrote:

“With deep sorrow and heavy hearts, we share the passing of our beloved mother, Nora C. Villamayor ‘Nora Aunor’ who left us today at the age of 71. She was the heart of our family,  a source of unconditional love, strength, and warmth. Her kindness, wisdom, and beautiful spirit touched everyone who knew her. She will be missed beyond words and remembered forever.”

The late star’s wake will be held at The Chapels, Heritage Park in Taguig, according to her daughter and fellow actress Lotlot de Leon.

A National Treasure

In 2022, Nora Aunor was officially recognised as a National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts by the Philippine government, the highest honour given to individuals who have made a lasting impact on the country’s arts and culture. She was honoured alongside screenwriter Ricky Lee and the late director Marilou Diaz-Abaya.

Cause of Death

Neither the 71-year-old’s family nor authorities have confirmed a cause of death yet. However, according to the media outlet Inquirer.com, she was at a Pasig hospital for an undisclosed procedure.

Career Highlights

Nora Aunor rose to fame as a singer and actress, later becoming one of the most respected names in Philippine cinema. She is best known for her award-winning performance in the critically acclaimed film Himala.

Her most recent film appearance was in Mananambal, alongside actress Bianca Umali. On television, her final role was in the GMA Afternoon Prime series Lilet Matias: Attorney-at-Law.

A true icon, Nora Aunor leaves behind a rich legacy and a nation in mourning.

Tributes Pour In

“Every tear she shed onscreen felt like a collective heartbreak. Every line she delivered became etched in the memory of Philippine cinema… Nora, salamat sa sining. Salamat sa puso,” wrote Charo Santos-Concio said in her post.

“Despite her legendary status, she carried herself with such modesty — confident in her craft, yet never boastful,” Actress Lovi Poe said in her post.

“The FDCP mourns the passing of National Artist Nora Aunor — an icon, a legend, and a voice that captured the soul of a nation. Her performances were never just roles; they were reflections of truth, hope, and resilience,’ wrote The national film council of the Philippines.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, fans, and every Filipino soul mourning the loss of our beloved Superstar and National Artist,” said noted social activist Persida Rueda-Acosta.

On the big screen, Deadpool clashed with Wolverine in a spectacle that set social media abuzz, while animated darling Inside Out 2 stormed the box office — leaving Joker’s sequel in its shadow. Off-camera, there was more drama as Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni found themselves locked in a bitter legal feud.

The off-screen action, however, didn’t stop there. There were debates over The Brutalist’s daring use of AI and Anora’s controversial decision to forgo an intimacy coordinator sparked plenty of heated exchanges on social media.

As the Academy Awards draw near on Sunday, March 2,  2025, the anticipation is palpable. We look at some of the possible winners on Hollywood’s biggest night.

Best Picture: Anora leads, but there others 

Anora is just barely ahead—but only by a hair. Why? A string of major wins, including the Critics Choice, Producers Guild, and Directors Guild Awards, put it in prime position. But rivals like Conclave and The Brutalist are lurking. We could see a historic upset here.

Best Director: Close fight between Sean Baker and Brady Corbet

Two directors, one golden statuette. Sean Baker (Anora) and Brady Corbet (The Brutalist) are neck and neck. But history favours Baker, thanks to the Directors Guild Awards’ near-flawless Oscar track record. Still, nothing is certain.

Best Actor: Both Adrien Brody and Timothée Chalamet are in the race

Adrien Brody (The Brutalist) was cruising toward his second Oscar—until Timothée Chalamet (A Complete Unknown) crashed the party with a major SAG win! Brody is still the favourite, but don’t be shocked if Chalamet pulls off a dramatic last-minute upset.

Best Actress: Demi Moore has a fair chance 

Demi Moore (The Substance) has swept the Golden Globes, Critics Choice, and SAG Awards. But with Anora’s Mikey Madison taking the BAFTA and I’m Still Here’s Fernanda Torres still in play, Moore’s victory lap could be premature.

Best Supporting Actor: Could Kieran Culkin lose?

Kieran Culkin (A Real Pain) has dominated awards season. Could someone else steal the statue? Sure. But at 87.7% likelihood, this one looks locked in.

Best Supporting Actress: This could be a clean sweep for Zoe Saldana 

Despite chatter that controversy around Emilia Pérez could hurt her chances, Zoe Saldaña is sweeping through the competition. The numbers say she’s almost certain to take home gold.

Best Animated flick: The Wild Robot could go for gold

Chris Sanders has been nominated four times — but never won. At 55 per cent, The Wild Robot is the favourite. But Flow and Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl are still in the game.

Best International movie: A twist in the tale

Emilia Pérez was expected to dominate — but controversy, critic-audience divides, and I’m Still Here gaining ground could mean a shocking upset.

Final Thoughts: Who will win, who’ll lose

There’s no such thing as a sure thing at the Oscars — but if the data is right, expect major moments, potential heartbreaks, and perhaps a few historic wins.

(Source: Hollywood Reporter, BBC)

Bollywood’s beloved ’90s comedy king Govinda and his wife Sunita Ahuja are rumoured to be on the brink of separation after nearly four decades together. While neither Govinda nor Sunita has addressed these rumours, multiple reports suggest that the couple has decided to go their separate ways. However, Govinda’s secretary is yet to confirm these reports.

Tension between couple

Govinda and Sunita have often kept their personal lives private, rarely letting the media into their domestic affairs. However, whispers of tension between them have surfaced repeatedly over the years. It is now being suggested that the couple, who reportedly have not been living together for a while, have chosen to make their separation official. 

Rumours about Govinda’s closeness with a Marathi actress

According to reports, one of the prominent speculations behind the rumoured split is Govinda’s increasing closeness with a 30-year-old Marathi actress. While no specific names have been mentioned, some claims suggest that their bond may have contributed to the couple’s growing rift. However, there is no concrete evidence to substantiate these claims.

Govinda and Sunita live in different houses

Earlier this year, Sunita Ahuja made a surprising revelation about their living situation, stating that she does not share the same residence as Govinda. While the ‘Hero No. 1’ star resides in his bungalow, Sunita and their children, daughter Tina Ahuja and son Yashvardhan Ahuja, live in a flat located opposite the house. This disclosure fueled speculations of an underlying issue in their marriage. 

Following the revelation, Sunita downplayed the rumours, asserting in an interview that no one could break their bond. She maintained that external forces often try to disrupt marriages but said that she remains committed to keeping her family intact.

How the duo fell in love

Govinda first came across Sunita Ahuja when his uncle married her elder sister. She came from a wealthy family in Mumbai city, while the actor hailed from a small town in Virar. The duo got into a relationship when Sunita was 15 and they got married in 1987 when she turned 18 and the actor was 24. But, the actor didn’t publicly reveal his marriage to safeguard his female fan following. They announced their wedding only after the birth of their daughter, Tina, in 1988. Later, they had a son, Yashvardhan, in 1997.  Despite the usual ups and downs, they remained a much-admired couple. Over the years, Govinda has often credited Sunita for being his pillar of strength through thick and thin. 

When Govinda nearly married Neelam

During his career, the actor was linked with a number of actresses like Neelam Kothari and Rani Mukherji. In fact, in one of his earlier interviews, Govinda revealed that after a spat with Sunita, he broke off his engagement with her. “Had Sunita not called me after five days and coaxed me into it again, I would probably have married Neelam.”

Govinda’s secretary denies divorce reports

Amid the growing speculation, Govinda’s secretary Shashi Sinha spoke to ABP News and denied the reports. He said, “There is no truth to these reports. I always stay with Govinda Ji, and there is nothing like this. Sunita must have given some interviews, and someone must have exaggerated her words, which is why such news is spreading.”

(Source: ABP, Pinkvilla)