Antonio Banderas and more mourn the death of Spanish actress Verónica Echegui

Antonio Banderas is mourning the tragic loss of Verónica Echegui. The Spanish actress died on Sunday, August 24, at the age of 42, prompting a wave of grief in the Spanish film industry. 

Among those to share their condolences was Antonio Banderas, who shared messages on his Instagram in the form of a post and a story. He shared a photo of Echegui holding on to an acting award and kissing it. 

“Today, Spanish cinema is in mourning due to the loss of Verónica Echegui. My condolences to her family and friends,” he captioned the post. 

Banderas shared a similar message on his Instagram stories, sharing the same photo of Echegui, this time, in black and white. “She’s left us too soon. Rest in peace,” reads his message. 

© Javier Salas

Dani Martin, the lead singer of the band “El Canto del Loco” and Echegui’s costar in the movie “Yo soy la Juani,” shared a moving tribute on his social media. “Giant woman who gave me so much. A free woman, anarchic and beautiful. I wish I’d never had to write this,” reads his message.

Maribel Verdu also shared a statement, sharing a sweet photo of herself and Echegui playfully eating from the same bowl of mussels. “I’ll always remember your visits to the tour of Los Kennedys,” she wrote. “You arrived there with your joy, your craziness, your energy, your humour. What a shame.” 

The President of Spain, Pedro Sanchez, shared a tribute on his X account. “I’m shocked by the death of Verónica Echegui, an actress of great talent and humility who left us far too young. My condolences to her family and friends.”

© @maribelverdu

More details about Echegui’s stunning career

Echegui was a notorious Spanish actress, with plenty of nominations and wins under her belt, including recognition from the Goya Awards, Platino Awards, Gaudi Awards, and more. 

She was known for her acting in films like “Yo soy la Juani” and “No culpes al karma de lo que te pasa por gilipollas,” but she was also a filmmaker in her own right. In 2022, she won a Goya Award for her short film “Totem Loba,” which she wrote and directed. 

Echegui was reportedly interned in a hospital for a month before her death, where she was receiving treatment for an illness that has not been shared with the public. 

© Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images