Spanish singer Helena Bianco has died at the age of 78. Her brother Alberto Vázquez announced her death on Instagram on 12 November 2026. Bianco became known throughout Spain as a singer with the pop group Los Mismos and later continued her career as a solo artist.
It had only become public a few days before the announcement of her death that the artist had neuroendocrine cancer. She cancelled performances because of the illness and planned chemotherapy. Her brother had previously spoken about the illness on Spanish television. Several Spanish media outlets report that Bianco died as a result of the cancer.
Vázquez announced that a farewell would be held from 12 noon on 12 November at the Memora Majadahonda funeral home near Madrid. He asked friends and colleagues not to send flowers, but to donate in her name to a foundation supporting people with neuroendocrine cancers.
Bianco was born on 6 January 1948 as Elena Vázquez Minguela in Valladolid She studied at the conservatoire there and initially performed with the group Los Jolly’s. She then became the lead singer of Los Mismos. The trio reached a wide audience in the 1960s and 1970s; their best-known songs included “El puente”, “San Bernardino” and “Voy a pintar las paredes con tu nombre”.
After the group broke up, Bianco continued on her own, took part in theatre productions and appeared on television programmes. In 2019, she won the first series of the Spanish singing show “La Voz Senior” for older contestants. In 2022, she published her memoirs under the title “Entre el cielo y el suelo” – “Between Heaven and Earth” in English.
In an interview with broadcaster Cadena SER in 2025, she looked back on the early days of Los Mismos. She recalled small stages, performing together and later touring Europe. She also spoke about periods with few bookings and how she had in the meantime founded a company arranging events and theatre engagements.
Following the news of her death, condolences came from Valladolid. Mayor Jesús Julio Carnero praised Bianco’s close ties to the city and the neighbourhood of Barrio España. The municipal music school recalled rehearsals and concerts they had shared.
Editor: Celestina Fuentes (Article created with AI assistance).