Regina Torné, the Mexican actress celebrated for her iconic turn as Mamá Elena in Como agua para chocolate and her role as “Tía Gloria” in El Chavo del 8, died at her home in MÈXICO City on Wednesday. She was 82 years old.
- Torné’s career spanned six decades, beginning in jazz music before she transitioned into a decorated film and television career that earned her an Ariel Award for Best Actress.
- The actress retired from the spotlight in 2024, relocating to Puebla to establish an arts academy for children and adolescents, shifting her focus entirely to education.
- Her passing has renewed public focus on the 2006 criminal case involving her daughter, Regina del Pilar Campos Incháustegui, who was sentenced to 35 years in prison for kidnapping and homicide.
Born Rosa Virgen del Pilar Martina Incháustegui Anaya on July 21, 1944, in Villahermosa, Tabasco, Torné was a fixture of the Mexican entertainment industry.
Discussing the complexity of the character in a video interview, Torné noted the contrast between her own personality and the character, describing herself as “very sweet and affectionate,” while characterizing Mamá Elena as “destructive” and “dominant.”
In 1978, she joined the cast of the beloved comedy series El Chavo del 8 as the third actress to portray “Tía Gloria,” the neighbor who captivated Don Ramón. The Asociación Nacional de Actores (ANDA) confirmed her death, praising her “talent, interpretative strength, and dedication to the stage.”
Following her tenure in comedy, Torné pivoted to dramatic telenovelas, playing memorable antagonists in productions such as La Loba, Cielo Rojo, and Retrato de familia.
| Production | Role | Medium |
|---|---|---|
| El Chavo del 8 | Tía Gloria | Television |
| Como agua para chocolate | Mamá Elena | Film |
| Cielo Rojo | Antagonist | Telenovela |
The news of Torné’s passing has inevitably surfaced reports regarding the 2006 arrest of her daughter, Regina del Pilar Campos Incháustegui. infobae reported that Campos Incháustegui was sentenced to 35 years in prison for the kidnapping and homicide of a woman in the colony of Lomas de San Bernabé.
While Torné provided moral support to her daughter during the initial years of the incarceration, she largely withdrew from public life following the ordeal.
As of late Tuesday night, the specific cause of the actress’s death has not been disclosed by her family or representatives. Public records indicate that while she had been living in Puebla since her retirement, she died at her residence in MÈXICO City. It remains unclear if her daughter, who has been serving her sentence at the Santa Martha Acatitla prison, has been officially notified of her mother’s death.
“Su talento, fuerza interpretativa y entrega al escenario la convirtieron en una de las grandes figuras de su generación,” said the Asociación Nacional de Actores.
Earlier coverage: Regina Torné Dies at 82, Actress Known for Como Agua para Chocolate
