Gloria Romero’s legacy and the mystery of her alleged last will

The Queen of Philippine cinema Gloria Romero’s alleged last will and testament has caused a stir online as fans mourn the loss of a beloved icon.

A viral social post detailed Romero’s impressive estate of P717.9 million in cash and a mansion worth over P19 million, and a breakdown of their allocation, but has sparked debates about its authenticity and legality.

According to the post, Romero allegedly allocated P215 million to build a provincial high school in Bataan and P47.8 million each to three charities: a home for the aged, a center for abandoned children, and a daycare center for underprivileged youth. The post also claimed Romero left P179.4 million and her mansion to her daughter, Maritess, and another P179.4 million to her grandson, Christopher.

Despite these claims, neither Romero’s daughter nor her family has confirmed the will’s authenticity.

Netizens also raised doubts, with many questioning its authenticity and whether the allocation adheres to Philippine succession laws. Certified Wealth & Estate Planner Rhea Suiza-Deonio weighed in, stating that if the will is genuine, it may violate the country’s inheritance laws, which require 50 percent of an estate to go to compulsory heirs. “Only the free portion can be given to charities and other organizations,” Deonio explained.

The post claims Romero amassed her wealth by saving from her acting earnings, shunning expensive jewelry and designer goods, and investing in her Sta. Ana, Manila mansion. Whether the document is authentic remains to be seen, but Romero’s enduring contributions to Philippine cinema remain undisputed.

Born Gloria Borrego Galla, the actress married fellow actor Juancho Gutierrez in 1960. Their marriage lasted 12 years, producing one daughter, Maritess. Despite their separation, Romero took care of Juancho until his death in 2005.

The actress passed away on January 25, at 91, leaving behind a legacy of over 250 film and television credits. She was celebrated as the first “Queen of Philippine Cinema,” with her career spanning 70 years. She was one of the highest paid actresses of her time.