Helena Bianco, former Los Mismos vocalist, dies at 78 of neuroendocrine cancer

Diagnosis and cancelled concerts

Helena Bianco, a singer born in Valladolid, announced on Wednesday, 4 November that she had cancer. In a statement shared on her Instagram account, she said she would cancel her upcoming stage commitments to undergo chemotherapy. Hours later her brother, Alberto Vázquez, appeared live on the programme 'Y ahora Sonsoles' and described the illness as an 'endocrine cancer, a hard, very aggressive cancer' that was not responding to treatment. Describing her state of mind, he said:

“She is very sad about the artistic moment she has lost and is drawing strength from places where none is left.”

Alberto had stayed at her side throughout the fight against the illness, and he described her as still concerned for everyone around her, from the hospital staff to the doctors.

Death announced on 12 November

Her brother announced the death on social media on Thursday, 12 November, a week after she disclosed the diagnosis. Helena Bianco was 78 and died in Madrid of neuroendocrine cancer. He posted a photomontage of the two of them embracing under a blue sky with a dove, beside white flower arrangements and candles. The message began with a farewell:

“Fly high, my life. Rest. I have no idea how to live without you.”

Rather than flowers, he asked followers to make a donation in her name to a foundation that works with patients with neuroendocrine cancer.

Career and final weeks

Helena Bianco was the vocalist of Los Mismos, the group with which she popularised 'El puente', one of the big hits of Spanish music. She won 'La Voz Senior' in 2019, and her song 'Mañana' is among the most popular of her career. On Tuesday, 10 November, her record label published a message in which she thanked friends, colleagues, artists and the media for their support. She wrote:

“I am going through a delicate and difficult moment, but I want you to know that every message, every word of affection and every gesture reaches me deeply.”

By then her condition had worsened considerably.

Farewells and tributes

The farewell begins at 12.00 on Thursday, 12 November, at the Memora funeral home in Majadahonda, Madrid, and continues in Valladolid on Friday, 13 November. For the farewell, Alberto chose 'Mañana' by Mari Trini, sung by Helena herself. Friends and colleagues including Charo Reina, Naim Thomas, Lorena Gómez, Nika, Nacho Guerreros, Antonia San Juan, Remedios Cervantes and Noemí Galera sent their condolences to the family. Reina was especially moved, recalling Helena's generosity, courage and enormous talent.