Sara Montiel was one of the most famous and influential Spanish actresses and singers of the 20th century. She starred in dozens of films, both in Spain and abroad, and recorded hundreds of songs in various languages. She was also known for her glamorous and controversial personal life, which included four marriages and numerous affairs. But how did Sara Montiel die? What was the cause of her death? And what legacy did she leave behind?
The Final Years of Sara Montiel
Sara Montiel was born in 1928 in Campo de Criptana, a small town in the region of Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. She began her acting career at the age of 16, and soon moved to Mexico, where she became a popular star. She then ventured into Hollywood, where she worked with directors like Robert Aldrich and Samuel Fuller, and co-starred with actors like Gary Cooper, Burt Lancaster, and Charles Bronson. She returned to Spain in the late 1950s, where she achieved her greatest success with musical films like The Last Torch Song and The Violet Seller. These films made her the highest paid star of Spanish cinema, and also established her as a singer. She performed songs from her films, as well as other popular tunes, in concerts around the world.
Sara Montiel continued to make films and albums until the early 1970s, when she decided to retire from the big screen. She focused on her stage and television career, as well as her personal life. She married four times, and adopted two children, Thais and Zeus. She also had several high-profile romances, with celebrities like Ernest Hemingway, James Dean, and Miguel Mihura. She claimed that the Nobel Prize-winning scientist Severo Ochoa was the true love of her life, but they never married. She also revealed that she had a brief affair with Ava Gardner, whom she considered a friend and a rival.
Sara Montiel lived a lavish and extravagant lifestyle, spending millions of dollars on jewelry, clothes, and properties. She also underwent several plastic surgeries, which altered her appearance over the years. She was often criticized for her vanity and eccentricity, but she defended her choices and expressed her satisfaction with her life. She said that she was happy and proud of her achievements, and that she had no regrets.
The Death of Sara Montiel
Sara Montiel died on April 8, 2013, at her home in Madrid, Spain. She was 85 years old. The cause of her death was sudden cardiac arrest, according to her biographer, Peter Villora. He said that she had been suffering from a respiratory infection for a few days, but that she had refused to go to the hospital. She died peacefully in her bed, surrounded by her family and friends.
Sara Montiel’s death was mourned by millions of fans and admirers, who paid tribute to her on social media and in the streets. Her funeral was held on April 9, 2013, at the San Justo Cemetery in Madrid, where she was buried. Thousands of people attended the ceremony, including celebrities, politicians, and royalty. Among them were the King and Queen of Spain, Juan Carlos and Sofia, who expressed their condolences to her children and grandchildren. They also praised her as a symbol of Spanish culture and a pioneer of women’s emancipation.
The Legacy of Sara Montiel
Sara Montiel is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential figures of Spanish cinema and music. She is credited with opening the doors for other Spanish actors and singers to work internationally, and with bringing Spanish culture and language to a global audience. She is also recognized as a style icon and a sex symbol, who challenged the conservative norms of her time and inspired generations of women to pursue their dreams and express their sexuality.
Sara Montiel’s films and songs are still popular and admired today, and have been restored and re-released in various formats. She has also been the subject of numerous books, documentaries, and biopics, which explore her life and career. She has received many honors and awards, both in Spain and abroad, for her artistic and humanitarian contributions. She has also been immortalized in statues, stamps, and street names, as well as in the hearts and minds of her fans. Sara Montiel is a legend, and a legend never dies.
