Actress, 48, dies after private colon cancer battle as heartbroken family pay tribute to ‘beloved’ star

A BELOVED actress has died after a private battle with cancer, leaving two children and a nation in mourning. Elizabeth Ruiz, 48, passed away after a long fight with the illness, her family confirmed on Wednesday. Screen star Elizabeth Ruiz, 48, died after a long fight with cancer Credit: Jam Press The screen star had kept her diagnosis a secret from the public Credit: Jam Press The screen star had kept the diagnosis, which left her bedridden, a secret from the public. A family statement said: “With deep sorrow, we announce the death of our beloved Elizabeth Ruiz.” Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Her passing “leaves an immense void in our hearts and a legacy of affection”, it added. Some television reports said she had colon cancer, although her family did not confirm this in their funeral notice. Ruiz died in Santo Domingo, in the Dominican Republic Credit: Jam Press Ruiz’s first hit the screen in 1997 with the appearance landing her a modelling contract Credit: Jam Press Ruiz died in Santo Domingo, in the Dominican Republic, where fans knew her as La Colorá. She was best remembered as Sobeida in the hit comedy trilogy Lotomán. The three films, directed by Archy López, came out in 2011, 2012 and 2014. Her character later featured in the book La Sonrisa del Caribe. Most read in The Sun She also appeared in the film Tubérculo Presidente and the stage play Malas. Ruiz’s first hit the screen in 1997 on a rum advert, with the appearance landing her a modelling contract with the Benedicto agency. In 2000, she joined the TV show 9×9, where the nickname La Colorá stuck. Ruiz later hosted Rincón Paraíso and El Bachatón on Antena Latina. In a statement her family said her death ‘leaves an immense void in our hearts’ Credit: Jam Press Ruiz leaves behind two children, Andrés Alfonso and Miranda Credit: Jam Press She also created, presented and produced her own show, Elizabeth Light and co-hosted the radio programme A Toa con Mamá on Rumba FM. Later she would go on to found her production firm La Colorá Films. Ruiz leaves behind two children, Andrés Alfonso and Miranda. Andrés is her son with filmmaker Alfonso Rodríguez while Miranda is her daughter with businessman Francisco Javier Carrillo. “Son, if I could tear that pain from your chest and put it in mine, I would do it without thinking. “If I could suffer it for you so you did not have to feel it, I would do it a thousand times.” Only last month, Ruiz marked her birthday on Instagram. She wrote: “Happy birthday to me! “One of the most beautiful celebrations with my loved ones, a magical day and night.” The star’s funeral is set to take place this afternoon in the Dominican Republic.