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Cuban actress Luisa María Jiménez bid farewell to her friend and colleague Zelma Morales this Sunday with a heartbreaking message on Facebook, expressing her sorrow for not being able to be by her side in her final moments after over four decades of friendship.
"A friend has gone, the beautiful Zelma, beloved by all, the nun from Tierra Brava; a sister with over 40 years of friendship, filled with successes and failures; but always present, planting, growing," Jiménez wrote upon hearing the news of Morales's passing, which occurred this weekend.
The deepest pain of his message was not having been able to say goodbye: "I couldn't say goodbye, hug her just a little, hold her hand, tell her how important she had been in my life. It's even harder."
Jiménez fondly remembered the affectionate nickname that Morales had for her: "I don’t see her that way, I can’t think that she doesn’t exist, that in our conversations I can no longer scold her. She used to call me La Parda, isn’t that lovely? Where have you gone, my dear friend, without telling me anything?"
The actress concluded her post with an image of hope: "I feel you close, I hear your voice telling me 'I'm okay,' so, are you hiding so that I can't see you? So be it! Forever!"
Zelma Morales, born in Caibarién, Villa Clara, was one of the most beloved figures in Cuban television, ultimately recognized for her dual role as the twins Regina and Reina in the telenovela Tierra Brava (1997), a production that brought her together on screen with Jiménez.
His career spanned over three decades and included productions such as Hoy es siempre todavía (1987), Destino prohibido (2000), Polvo en el viento (2008), and En tiempos de amar (2017), his last telenovela known in Cuba before emigrating to the United States in 2018 to reunite with his only son, the actor Fabián Brando Álvarez.
The reactions from the Cuban artistic community were immediate and numerous. Actor Albertico Pujol described the loss as "devastating" and recalled that Morales supported him during a very difficult time in his life. Writer Amir Valle said: "Cuban culture loses an immense actress. I lose one of my most loyal readers." From Havana, actor and comedian Ulises Toirac referred to her as "a stunning woman, a powerful actress, an unparalleled person."
A close associate, Orlando Gutiérrez, revealed in the comments on Jiménez's post that he was one of the few who knew about Morales's illness and had kept it a secret. The causes of death have not been publicly disclosed so far.
After emigrating to Miami, Morales remained artistically active and raised her voice for freedom and human rights in Cuba, earning the respect of the Cuban exile community in Florida. "Her legacy combines artistic talent with personal integrity," emphasized activist Lara Crofs in a farewell message.
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