Mexican actress, singer, and politician Irma Serrano passed away on March 1, 2023, at the age of 89. She suffered a massive heart attack in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, Mexico. Serrano was a pioneer in the ranchera and corrido music styles, earning her the nickname “La Tigresa” due to her seductive voice. She was also a renowned actress, having acted in over a dozen movies, and was one of the last surviving actresses from Mexico’s Golden Age of Cinema.
Serrano was born on December 9, 1933, in Comitán, Chiapas, Mexico. Her father was a writer, poet, and politician, while her mother belonged to a wealthy family. She began her music career with Columbia Records in 1962 and won several awards the following year, including the Folklore Revelation Trophy, the Macuilxóchitl as the Revelation Songwriter, and the Musa Trophy of Radioland.
In the 1960s, Serrano’s songs such as 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 (1969) made her one of the most popular Mexican folk music artists.
Serrano’s first movie was Samson vs. the Zombies in 1962, where she starred alongside Mexican wrestler El Santo. She went on to star in several other movies, 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.
In the 1960s, Serrano made headlines due to her alleged affair with the president of Mexico at the time, Gustavo Daz Ordaz. Both parties denied the rumors initially, but Serrano later revealed in her book A calzón amarrado that they were indeed involved romantically. Serrano also had a successful political career as a federal deputy and senator for the Institutional Revolutionary Party and later for the opposition Democratic Revolution Party in the 1990s. She even expressed her desire to run for President of Mexico in 2003.
Following her passing, many fans and celebrities took to social media to pay tribute to Serrano. TV host Poncho De Nigris wrote on Twitter, “Doa Irma Serrano left a great legacy and suitable life lessons. I just heard that she died, and my condolences go out to her family and friends. Thank you for teaching me so much. RIP, LA TIGRESA.” Actress Lucía Méndez also expressed her condolences on Twitter, saying “#irmaserrano My deepest condolences. We are praying for you and your family during this hard time so that the Lord will give you comfort and strength.” Pita Ojeda wrote, “Without a doubt, she was very beautiful at one time. She was an actress, a singer, and the lover of the president and other millionaires. Farewell, Tigress.”
Irma Serrano’s death is a significant loss for Mexico’s entertainment industry and political landscape. Her contributions to music, film, and politics will be remembered for years to come. Our condolences go out to her family and loved ones during this difficult time. May her soul rest in peace.