Cuban Actress Paula Alí, Beloved Stage and TV Star for Six Decades, Dies at 88

August 4, 2026

Paula Alí, one of the most recognizable faces of Cuban theater and television for more than sixty years, died on August 3, 2026, at the age of 88, according to an announcement from the Teatro El Público company that was later confirmed by the Cuban writers and artists union UNEAC. No cause of death has been made public.

Born on January 26, 1938, in the tobacco-growing town of Candelaria, in the province of Pinar del Río, Alí began her career in 1959 as a television model before moving into acting, first with Teatro Martí and later with the prestigious Teatro Estudio company, where she remained active for decades. In her later years she joined Teatro El Público, earning acclaim for her leading role in the classic drama "La Celestina," directed by Carlos Díaz.

Cuban audiences knew her best from television, where she appeared in telenovelas including "Enamorada del mar," "Las huérfanas de la Obrapía," "¡Oh, La Habana!" and, more recently, "Los hijos de Pandora." She was also a familiar comic presence on the long-running program "Punto G." Her film credits include "Guantanamera," "Lista de espera," "Nada" and "El cuerno de la abundancia."

Just weeks before her death, Alí had been honored with Cuba's National Television Prize for 2026, recognizing her more than six-decade career, though she was reportedly unable to receive the award in person. Colleagues and admirers have since paid tribute to her on social media, remembering her versatility across dramatic and comedic roles.