28/06/2026 06:09 - Entretenimiento
The Argentine entertainment world is in mourning. Ernestina Pais passed away at 54 after a tragic train accident in Martínez, a suburb of Buenos Aires, while on her way to perform in the hit theatrical play "El divorcio del año" (The Divorce of the Year). Her castmates and loved ones have bid her farewell with emotional messages that reveal the profound impact she had on everyone around her.
José María Muscari, one of Argentina's most renowned theater directors and producers, shared a deeply emotional message on his Instagram account, accompanied by a video capturing moments they shared working together. Pais was starring in his play alongside other Argentine entertainment icons like Romina Gaetani, Fabián Vena, Juan Palomino, and Rochi Igarzábal.
"Goodbye my dear negra (a term of endearment in Argentina). You were always joy and lucidity. You fought until your last breath. I want to remember you like this, happy, acting, and fully present. Your luminous journey has just begun and will never stop, you are now light."
On his Instagram stories, Muscari added: "Goodbye Ernes. Fly high, mental goddess. I love you always magical, luminescent and powerful. You will be light." He also highlighted her unique talent: "That unique voice. Her incredible talent as a natural-born actress. First reading and she already had us laughing out loud."
Rocío "Rochi" Igarzábal, a well-known Argentine actress and singer who became one of Pais's closest friends during the theater tour, posted an extensive and heartbreaking farewell on Instagram. She revealed that during the last months of the tour, they slept together and shared intimate moments while traveling between cities for performances.
"I knew something always hurt you, in your heart, and despite that you held onto your explosive laughter, our mate (traditional Argentine herbal drink) moments on the road, walking with me through small towns and cities where we went to perform," Igarzábal wrote.
"These last months we co-slept. We slept together. I would cover you when I saw you cold during nighttime trips going from one place to another. You would come to my room and we would share your writings, your stories. We used to say we were going to be millionaires."
"You must be hugging Jorge now, you mentioned him so much. I love you infinitely. I will miss you every day," she closed her message, referring to Jorge Guinzburg, the legendary Argentine TV host who was Pais's mentor between 2005 and 2007 on the iconic morning show "Mañanas Informales" (Informative Mornings).
Ernestina Pais's family confirmed that the wake will take place on Sunday, June 28 at the Alessandri funeral home, located at Av. Córdoba 5084, ground floor, in the Palermo neighborhood of Buenos Aires. Visiting hours will be from 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM.
After the wake, the procession will depart to Chacarita Cemetery, one of Buenos Aires' most historic cemeteries, where the final farewell to the beloved media personality will take place.
On Friday June 26, 2026, at approximately 7:25 PM, Ernestina Pais was driving her black Honda Civic toward the Niní Marshall Theater in Tigre (a northern suburb of Buenos Aires), where she was scheduled to perform in "El divorcio del año". At the railroad crossing at Sáenz Peña and El Cano streets in Martínez, her vehicle was struck by a Tren de la Costa (Coastal Train) formation.
According to police sources, Pais crossed with the barrier down. The impact occurred on the driver's side. The journalist died instantly from a severe traumatic brain injury, according to the preliminary autopsy report accessed by TN (Todo Noticias, a major Argentine news channel).
Hours before the accident, Ernestina Pais posted on her social media a flyer announcing new dates for the theater tour with the message: "Destinations are being added, thank you life". She also shared an animated illustration of a character kissing their own hand saying: "Good night to myself. I love myself very much. I mean, the world for me".
Hours after the accident, Fabián Vena, another renowned Argentine actor, also posted his farewell: "My dear negra. Our very Argentine Rocker. With that laughter of yours, that always positive gaze, that dedication in everything you did. You left early but you will stay with us, as the great host you were."
Diego Ramos, who was substituting for Vena in the cast that night, was the one who announced the suspension of the performance without giving details about what had happened. The audience remained in their seats without information about the incident.
Ernestina Pais (1972-2026) was a journalist, TV host, and actress. She made history as the first and only woman to host CQC (Caiga Quien Caiga, a hugely popular Argentine satirical news program, similar to "The Daily Show" in the US) from 2009 to 2011, replacing Mario Pergolini, one of Argentina's most influential media figures. Her entry into the show came through a casual invitation from producer Diego Guebel. She worked alongside Gonzalo Rodríguez and Juan Di Natale for three seasons.
She is survived by her son, Benicio Guyot, who also posted a moving farewell: "I was your everything and, although it was hard for me to admit it, you were mine too."
The UFI (Fiscal Investigation Unit) of Martínez is in charge of the investigation. Security cameras in the area recorded the sequence of the accident. The definitive autopsy report is awaited for further details.
Date: Sunday, June 28, 2026
Time: 8:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: Sala Alessandri
Address: Av. Córdoba 5084, ground floor, Palermo, Buenos Aires
Final resting place: Chacarita Cemetery
Date: Friday, June 26, 2026
Time: ~7:25 PM
Location: Sáenz Peña and El Cano, Martínez, Buenos Aires Province
Vehicle: Black Honda Civic
Cause of death: Severe traumatic brain injury
Investigation: UFI of Martínez
Alfredo S. Quiroga
