Gloria Romero facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gloria Romero
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Romero in 2019
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| Born |
Gloria Anne Borrego Galla
December 16, 1933 Denver, Colorado, U.S.
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| Died | January 25, 2025 (aged 91) Quezon City, Philippines
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| Resting place | Mount Carmel Shrine, Quezon City |
| Nationality | Filipino, American |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1949–2025 |
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Works
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Full list |
| Spouse(s) |
Juancho Gutiérrez
(m. 1960; died 2005) |
| Children | Maritess Gutierrez |
| Relatives | Chris Gutierrez (grandson) |
| Awards | Full list |
| Honors |
 Presidential Merit Award |
Gloria Romero (born Gloria Anne Borrego Galla; December 16, 1933 – January 25, 2025) was a Filipino-American actress who became a movie legend. She was known as the "Queen of Philippine Cinema" for her amazing career that lasted over 70 years. During that time, she appeared in nearly 300 movies and TV shows. In the 1950s, she was the highest-paid movie star in the Philippines and a favorite of moviegoers.
Romero started her career as a background actor when she was 16. Her first big role was in the movie Madame X (1952). She won her first major award for the comedy film Dalagang Ilocana (1954). She became a huge star by playing the lead in romantic comedies and musicals. Some of her famous early films include Cofradia (1953), Kurdapya (1954), and Hong Kong Holiday (1957).
Later in her career, Romero took on more serious and complex roles in films like Lipad, Darna Lipad! (1973), Condemned (1984), and Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit (1989). She also became a familiar face on television, appearing in popular shows like the sitcom Palibhasa Lalake (1987). In the 2000s, a new generation of fans discovered her through hit movies like Tanging Yaman (2000), Magnifico (2003), and her final film, Rainbow's Sunset (2018).
For her incredible contributions to film, Romero received many lifetime achievement awards. The Philippine government honored her with the Presidential Medal of Merit. The Philippine Postal Corporation even created a special postage stamp with her picture on it in 2022 to celebrate her life's work.
Life and Career
1933–1948: A Childhood in the Philippines
Gloria Romero was born on December 16, 1933, in Denver, Colorado. Her father, Pedro Galla, was from the Philippines, and her mother, Mary Borrego, was an American with Spanish roots. In 1937, the family traveled to the Philippines to visit relatives in Mabini, Pangasinan. They planned to return to the U.S., but their trip kept getting extended.
When World War II began, the family was unable to leave the Philippines. During the war, they learned to farm to survive. Sadly, her mother died in an accident just before the war ended. After this, Gloria's father decided the family would stay in the Philippines permanently. Gloria's siblings grew up to be successful: her sister became a nurse, her brother Tito became an actor, and her other brother became a doctor in the U.S.
1949–1954: Starting in Show Business
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From a young age, Romero dreamed of being an actress. After leaving school, she moved to Manila to try to make her dream come true. She started as an "extra," an actor with no lines who appears in the background of scenes. She worked for Premiere Productions and later moved to Sampaguita Pictures, a major film studio.
After playing many small parts, she finally got her first supporting role in Madame X (1952). Soon after, she starred in Palasig and Monghita, and audiences loved her. Her role in the hit film Cofradia (1953) made her even more popular.
In 1954, she won the FAMAS Award for Best Actress for the comedy Dalagang Ilocana. It was a special moment because it was the first time an actress won for a comedy role.
1955–1965: Becoming a Superstar
By the mid-1950s, Gloria Romero was a huge star. Her movies were successful not just in the Philippines but all over Asia. In 1957, three of her films, Sino Ang May Sala?, Hongkong Holiday, and Paru-Parong Bukid, were the top-earning movies of the year.
In 1960, Romero married fellow actor Juancho Gutierrez. Their wedding was a major event, called the "Wedding of the Year," and was covered by newspapers and radio.
Romero also became a popular face in commercials. She was one of the first celebrities to endorse Coca-Cola in the Philippines.
In 1965, she played a very famous role as the First Lady Imelda Marcos in the movie Iginuhit ng Tadhana. The film was a big success. Romero said that to film inside the Malacañang Palace, the presidential home, they had to work overnight from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
1965-1998: New Roles on Film and TV
After leaving Sampaguita Pictures, Romero began to play a wider variety of characters. She played an evil witch in Darna, Lipad, Darna! (1973) and took on more serious roles in dramas.
In the 1980s, she starred in the movie Condemned with another famous actress, Nora Aunor. This role earned her a nomination for Best Supporting Actress. She won the award for other films like Saan Nagtatago ang Pag-ibig? (1987) and Nagbabagang Luha (1988).
During this time, Romero also started working in television. She was part of the popular comedy show Palibhasa Lalake, which showed her funny side and won her an award for Best Comedy Actress. She also starred in family dramas like Familia Zaragoza (1996).
1999–2011: A New Generation of Fans
In 2000, Romero gave one of her most famous performances in the movie Tanging Yaman. She played a loving grandmother dealing with Alzheimer's disease, a condition that affects memory. Critics and audiences praised her acting, and she won many "Best Actress" awards for the role. The movie was a huge box office hit.
After this success, she starred in the popular horror movie Bahay ni Lola (2001). In 2003, she appeared in the film Magnifico, which also won many awards. For her role, she won Best Supporting Actress from the Gawad Urian Awards, which also gave her a lifetime achievement award.
She continued to appear in movies and TV shows, often playing wise and caring grandmothers, also known as "lola" roles.
2011–2025: Final Roles and Lasting Fame
After many years with the TV network ABS-CBN, Romero moved to GMA Network in 2011. Her first show there, Munting Heredera, was very successful. In 2012, she received a lifetime achievement award for her work in television.
She continued to act in many TV series, including Niño (2014) and Kambal Karibal (2017). Her last television show was the fantasy series Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko, where she played a storytelling grandmother.
In 2018, she starred in the film Rainbow's Sunset with her longtime friend and fellow actor, Eddie Garcia. Her performance was highly praised, and she won Best Actress at the Metro Manila Film Festival. At 85 years old, she became the oldest actress to win this award.
In 2024, a special tribute was held to celebrate her life and career. This was her last public appearance.
Personal Life
Gloria Romero married actor Juancho Gutierrez in 1960. They had one daughter, Maritess Gutierrez, who is a chef. Romero's grandson, Chris Gutierrez, also became an actor.
Romero and Gutierrez separated after 12 years but remained friends. In 2000, Juancho became very ill. Romero took care of him until he passed away in 2005, showing her deep kindness and loyalty.
Death and Legacy
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Gloria Romero passed away peacefully at her home in Quezon City on January 25, 2025, at the age of 91. Her passing was mourned by the entire country.
Philippine President Bongbong Marcos remembered her as "a great lady with the dignity of a true star." Many other actors and leaders shared their memories of her warmth and professionalism.
Romero is remembered as one of the greatest Filipino actresses of all time. She was often called the "Grace Kelly of the Philippines" for her elegance and gentle personality. She was not only a talented actress but also a fashion icon, known for her beautiful style.
Many actors today look up to her as a role model. They admire her long career, her kindness to others, and the respect she earned throughout her life. Film director Laurice Guillen once said, "I think she is at par with some of the world's best actresses."
Acting Credits
Over her 70-year career, Gloria Romero starred in hundreds of films and television shows. Some of her most famous movies include:
- Cofradia (1953)
- Dalagang Ilocana (1954)
- Hongkong Holiday (1956)
- Iginuhit ng Tadhana (1965)
- Condemned (1984)
- Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit (1989)
- Tanging Yaman (2000)
- Magnifico (2003)
- Rainbow's Sunset (2018)
Awards and Honors
Gloria Romero won many of the most important awards in Philippine cinema. She won Best Actress from the FAMAS Awards twice and Best Supporting Actress once. She also won multiple awards from the Gawad Urian Awards and the Metro Manila Film Festival.
In addition to her acting awards, she received many honors for her lifetime of work, including:
- Lifetime Achievement Awards from FAMAS, Gawad Urian, and the Luna Awards.
- An induction into the Eastwood City Walk of Fame in 2005.
- The Ading Fernando Lifetime Achievement Award for television in 2008.
- The Presidential Medal of Merit, one of the highest honors given by the Philippine government, in 2025.
See also
- List of Filipino actresses
- Cinema of the Philippines
- Television in the Philippines
