Renowned Mexican actress, singer, and politician Irma Serrano has passed away at the age of 89. She died after suffering a massive heart attack in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, Mexico, on the morning of March 1.
Nicknamed “La Tigresa” because of her tempting vocals, Serrano was a pioneer in ranchera and corrido music genres. She also acted in over a dozen films and was one of the last surviving actresses from the Golden Age of Mexican cinema. Read on to know more about her life and career.
“La Tigresa” Irma Serrano Passes Away at 89
The news was announced by Mexican media on Wednesday with a tweet. The National Association of Interpreters of Mexico wrote, “@ANDIMexico announces the sensitive death of interpreter partner Irma Serrano. We send our deepest condolences to his family and friends.”
Serrano was born on December 9, 1933, in Comitán, Chiapas, Mexico. Her father was an author, poet and politician, and her mother was an aristocrat. She began her music career in 1962 with Columbia Records and won the Folklore Revelation Trophy, the Macuilxóchitl as the Revelation Songwriter, and the Musa Trophy of Radiolandia awards the next year.
The singer rose as one of the most popular Mexican folk music artists in the 1960s, with her songs La Nueva Intérprete de la Canción Ranchera (1964), Lloren Organillos (1965), Mexican Fire (1966), Mi Noche de Ayer (1968), and Irma Serrano con Los Alegres de Terán (1973).
Acting and Political Career
Serrano made her film debut in 1962 with Samson vs the Zombies opposite Mexican wrestler El Santo. She then starred in over a dozen films, including La conquista de El Dorado, Los gavilanes negros, La venganza de Gabino Barrera, Santo y el aguila real, The Monastery of the Vultures, Carnival Nights, and The Lovers of the Lord of the Night.
The actress made news for her affair with Mexican president Gustavo Díaz Ordaz in the 1960s. The two denied the reports of their relationship at the time; however, Serrano later confirmed the romance in her book A calzón amarrado.
Serrano also had a successful political career as a federal deputy and senator with the ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party and then the opposition Democratic Revolution Party in the 1990s. Later in 2003, she also expressed her wish to run for the Presidency of Mexico.
Tributes Pour In for the Singer
A number of people have taken to social media to express their grief over Serrano’s passing. “A great legacy and good life lessons with Doña Irma Serrano. I have just been informed that she has just passed away, my condolences to her family and friends. Thank you for so many teachings RIP LA TIGRESA,” tweeted television host Poncho De Nigris.
Actress Lucía Méndez wrote, “#irmaserrano My deepest condolences. In this difficult time, our prayers are with you and your family so that the Lord fills his hearts with comfort and strength.” Pita Ojeda also tweeted, “Undoubtedly one day she was very beautiful; actress, singer, lover of the president and other millionaires. RIP The Tigress.”
Our condolences to Irma Serrano’s family. May her soul rest in peace!
