Spanish actress Verónica Echegui dies at 42 after private cancer battle

The Spanish acting industry and international audiences are mourning the sudden passing of actress Verónica Echegui, who died on 24 August at the age of 42 after a private battle with cancer known only to her closest family and friends.

Born Verónica Fernández Echegaray on June 16, 1983, in Madrid, she was widely known for her powerful performances in both Spanish and international cinema. Her film credits include Prison Yard (El patio de mi cárcel) in 2008, Katmandu Lullaby (Katmandú, un Espejo en el Cielo) in 2011, as well as Hollywood productions such as The Cold Light of Day (2012), the British series Fortitude (2015–2017), and the 2022 Netflix drama Intimacy. Most recently, she starred in Love You to Death, a romance series on Apple TV+ released on February 5, 2025.

Echegui’s breakout role came in 2006 with My Name is Juani (Yo soy la Juani), a comedy-drama in which she portrayed a fiery, working-class young woman from a poor neighborhood outside Barcelona. Juani dreams of becoming an actress and breaking free from a life of hardship, an unstable family, and a toxic relationship.

That performance earned Echegui her first Goya Award nomination and set the tone for her career. Much like Juani, many of her later characters were strong, independent women—fighters who faced adversity with grit and refused to be defined by their struggles. From the prison drama El patio de mi cárcel to the political themes in Intimacy, Echegui was known for portraying women whose resilience and strength reflected the spirit of her landmark debut.

The news of her death has stunned the Spanish acting community and fans around the world. Among those who paid tribute was Spanish star Antonio Banderas.

“Today Spanish cinema is in mourning over the death of Verónica Echegui.
My deepest condolences to her family and friends,” he said on X.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez also expressed his grief.

“I am shocked by the news of the death of Verónica Echegui, an actress of immense talent and humility who has left us far too soon. My heartfelt embrace in these difficult times to all her family and friends,” he wrote.

Echegui’s legacy lives on through the powerful women she brought to life on screen—roles that touched hearts, challenged norms, and celebrated the strength of the human spirit.