Iconic TV presenter Enrica Bonaccorti has died at the age of 76 just months after she revealed she was battling pancreatic cancer. The news was first confirmed on X by Tg5 director Clemente Mimun, who simply penned: "Farewell to Enrica Bonaccorti, RIP."
In October last year, she had posted an image to Instagram of herself smiling in a wheelchair, telling fans that the reason she had been silent for months was that she was coping with her diagnosis. Alongside the photo, she penned: "It’s been a long time since we’ve seen or heard from each other, here or on television. For four months I’ve hidden away, even from my closest friends, not answering or calling back, as if my absence could make what’s happening disappear." Apologising to her fans, she referred to her friend, the late actress Eleonora Giorgi, who died of the same disease in March last year at the age of 71.
“I always said that if the same thing happened to me, I’d never be able to face it the way she did. And in fact, I don’t know what to say, except that it has happened. But we are at the beginning, and now that I’ve told you, I already feel stronger. I won’t be an ostrich anymore — now I want to fly again with you," she concluded her message.
This was the second time she had bravely faced a serious illness. In September 2023, she shared the news that she had undergone open-heart surgery.
Her career began as an actress in the 1960s and spanned almost six decades. Her TV career took off in earnest in the 1980s and 1990s. She presented many of Italy's most popular television programs, such as Non è la Rai, Pronto, chi gioca? and Italia Sera.
Alongside her TV work, she was also the lyricist for the famous song La lontananza for Domenico Modugno.
**** Ensure our latest showbiz headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as a Preferred Source in your Google search settings. ****
Tributes flooded in for the star as the news of her death was confirmed. Writing on Facebook, one fan penned: "I'm sorry that one of the rare television characters endowed with grace, intelligence and sensitivity has left us."
"I'm sorry...cancer doesn't discriminate," another added. A third chimed in: "A television LADY, grace, professionalism, and many other qualities that are gradually disappearing from the schedules and beyond. R.I.P."
A fourth included crying and heart emojis in their post as they lamented: "Very bad news. I'm truly sorry. She was a great woman. R.I.P. Enrica."
A fifth penned: "I'm so sorry, truly! Rest in eternal peace, Enrica, you are free now." Meanwhile, a sixth shared: "Goodbye Enrica, you will now give your smile and your sweetness to the angels in Heaven."
