Sasha Montenegro, a prominent actress in Mexican cinema, has passed away at the age of 78. Born Aleksandra Acimovic Popovic in Italy in 1946, Montenegro moved to Mexico in 1969, where she began her career as a model and actress. She became a star of ficheras cinema in the 1970s, appearing in over 60 films including A Dream of Love, Bellas de noche, Pedro Navaja, and Forbidden Beach.
In 1979, Montenegro began a romantic relationship with then-president José López Portillo, ultimately marrying him after he divorced his first wife. The couple had two children, Nabila and Alexander, and Montenegro was unofficially considered the first lady of Mexico during López Portillo’s presidency.
Following the end of López Portillo’s presidency, Montenegro retired from public life to care for her husband, who passed away in 2004. The news of Montenegro’s passing has brought an outpouring of condolences and fond memories from fans and colleagues alike.