Rocio Durcal, a Spanish singer and actress, died yesterday at her home in Madrid. Durcal was diagnosed with womb cancer in 2001.

A star since childhood, Durcal acted in many films but was also famous for her singing, particularly Mexican “rancheras”.

Born into a family of six, Durcal’s success in various radio shows quickly attracted film makers in the 1960s and 1970s. In all, she made some 15 films, including “Cancion de Juventud”, (Song of Youth) and “Rocio de La Mancha” and “Marianela”, in which she acted, sang and danced.

She made her first trip to Mexico when she was 17 and has been popular there and throughout Latin America, as well as Spain, ever since.

She performed along side stars such Juan Gabriel, Julio Iglesias, Joan Manuel Serrat, Luis Miguel, Ricky Martin, and Alejandro Sanz.

Rocio Durcal: In Memoriam

Via / El Mundo and El Paso Times