Isabel Granada dies at 41

Actress Isabel Granada has succumbed to aneurysm. She was 41. Her passing was confirmed in a statement released on Sunday morning by her widower, Arnel Cowley. (Photo: Isabel Granada/Instagram)

MANILA, Philippines—Actress Isabel Granada has succumbed to aneurysm. She was 41.

Her passing was confirmed in a statement released on Sunday morning by her widower, Arnel Cowley.

“It is with great sadness that my wife Isabel Granada has peacefully passed here in Doha, Qatar,” Cowley announced through the Facebook page of his wife’s cousin, Joseph Rivera. “She has been a fantastic wife, mother and daughter. She always did her best in everything she did, whether it be in front of a camera or sports.”

“I would also like to take this time to thank the Filipino community in Doha for giving their full support throughout this difficult time for myself and the family,” he added, expressing how much he loves and misses his wife.

Jericho Genaskey Aguas, Granada’s ex-husband and father of her son Hubert, also took to social media to pay tribute to his ex-wife.

“Malaki ang naging parte mo sa aking buhay. Binigyan mo ako ng isang gwapo’t matalinong anak. Makulay ang 14 years nating pagsasama. Mula sa aking puso’t kaluluwa, maraming, maraming salamat [You were a big part of my life. You gave me a handsome and intelligent child. Our 14 years together was colorful. From my heart and soul, many, many thanks],” Aguas wrote.

Granada and Aguas were married in 2002 but eventually separated. In spite of this, the ex-couple remained cordial. When the news of Granada falling into coma broke, Aguas flew to Doha to watch over his ex-wife. Granada’s husband, son, and mother, Guapa, were also by the actress’s side during the last days of her life.

“There is no such thing as a “broken family.” Family is family, and is not determined by marriage certificates, divorce papers, and adoption documents. Families are made in the heart,” Aguas shared as testament to his devotion to his family in which Granada was part of.

“Hindi man nag-work ang ating marriage, pero lubos ang aking pasasalamat sa pag-spend mo ng buhay with me for more than a decade [Our marriage might not have worked but I am extremely grateful to you for spending more than a decade of your life with me],” he added.

While on a business trip in Doha, Granada was rushed to a hospital after collapsing. Hours after, she slipped into a coma and was diagnosed to have suffered from a “brain hemorrhage which indicates aneurysm and in turn affected her heart.”

On October 27, Granada was declared brain dead. Eight days after, she passed on.

Cowley said that his wife’s remain will be flown back to the Philippines on Wednesday.

In an interview with GMA News, he said that Granada’s family is planning to cremate the remains of the actress. Cowley said that while he and Granada were attending a wake in Australia, his wife communicated that she would opt for cremation when her time comes. Whether Granada would be buried or cremated would still depend on what her mother would choose, Cowley said.