Flor Silvestre was a Mexican singer and actress who was one of the most prominent and successful performers of Mexican and Latin American music. She was also a star of classic Mexican films during the Golden Age of Mexican cinema. She died on November 25, 2020, at the age of 90, at her ranch in Zacatecas, Mexico, surrounded by her family.
A Long and Distinguished Career
Flor Silvestre, whose real name was Guillermina Jiménez Chabolla, was born on August 16, 1930, in Salamanca, Guanajuato, Mexico. She began her singing career at the age of 13, and adopted the stage name Flor Silvestre, which means “wild flower” in Spanish, after the title of a 1943 film. She signed a contract with Columbia Records in 1950, and recorded her first hits, such as “Imposible olvidarte”, “Que Dios te perdone”, and “Guadalajara”. In 1957, she joined Musart Records, and became one of the label’s exclusive artists with numerous best-selling singles, such as “Cielo rojo”, “Renunciación”, “Mi destino fue quererte”, “Gaviota traidora”, and “La basurita”. She was known for her melodious voice and unique singing style, and was nicknamed “La Sentimental” and “La Voz Que Acaricia”. She was also acclaimed as the “Soul of Ranchera Song” and the “Queen of Mexican Song”.
Flor Silvestre also had a successful acting career, appearing in more than 70 films between 1950 and 1990. She was one of the leading stars of the “golden age” of the Mexican film industry, and worked with directors such as Ismael Rodríguez, Miguel Zacarías, and Gilberto Martínez Solares. She starred in films such as Primero soy Mexicano, Te besaré en la boca, La doncella de piedra, and La marca de Satanás. She also played the female lead in Ánimas Trujano, a 1962 film that was nominated for an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. She was known for her beauty and statuesque figure, and often wore elegant costumes and jewelry in her films.
Flor Silvestre was married three times, and had five children. Her first two marriages ended in divorce, and her third husband was the regional Mexican icon Antonio Aguilar, whom she married in 1959. They became one of the most famous and beloved couples in Mexican entertainment, and performed together in musical rodeo shows, films, and television programs. They also owned a ranch in Zacatecas, where they bred horses and cattle. Their children, Antonio Aguilar Jr. and Pepe Aguilar, followed their footsteps and became successful singers and actors. Flor Silvestre also had three children from her previous marriages: Dalia Inés, Francisco Rubiales, and Marcela Rubiales.
A Peaceful Farewell
Flor Silvestre died of natural causes on November 25, 2020, at her ranch in Zacatecas, Mexico. She was 90 years old, and had been suffering from various health problems in recent years. She was surrounded by her family, including her son Pepe Aguilar, who confirmed her death on social media. Her family released an official statement, thanking the public for their affection and asking for privacy. Her death was mourned by many fans and celebrities, who paid tribute to her legacy and influence on Mexican culture. She was buried next to her husband Antonio Aguilar, who died in 2007, at their ranch.
Flor Silvestre was a Mexican legend who left behind a rich and diverse body of work, spanning more than seven decades. She was a singer, an actress, an equestrienne, and a rancher, but above all, she was a woman who loved her family and her country. She will always be remembered as one of the most emblematic and beloved figures of Mexican music and cinema.
