Sebastián Lelio, Chilean Director of A Fantastic Woman, Dies at 52
The Oscar-winning filmmaker died at his home in Santiago on Friday, with early reports citing health reasons but offering no specific cause of death.
By Hushread Stories, from 8 outlets · First published 6 Nov 2026
In brief
- Chilean filmmaker Sebastián Lelio died on November 6 at the age of 52, according to initial reports.
- He died at his home in Santiago, and his partner, actress Amalia Kassai, announced his death on Instagram.
- Early coverage cited health reasons for his death, but the available reports did not identify a specific cause.
- His film A Fantastic Woman won the Oscar for best foreign language film in 2018.
- His other films included Gloria and its 2018 remake, Gloria Bell, which starred Julianne Moore.
Timeline · 2 moments
Announcement attributes filmmaker's death to unspecified health reasons
RTBF ↗Lelio dies at his home in Santiago, aged 52
Variety Movies ↗The filmmaker behind A Fantastic Woman
Sebastián Lelio, the Chilean director best known for the Oscar-winning film A Fantastic Woman, has died at 52. Variety Movies reported that he died on Friday, November 6, at his home in Santiago.
His Oscar win in 2018 made him the first Chilean director to receive the award for best foreign language film, according to Adnkronos. It was the defining achievement highlighted in the first reports of his death.
How the news unfolded
ABC reported Lelio's death on November 6 in a brief breaking-news item, saying the report was still being expanded.
Variety Movies identified his partner, actress Amalia Kassai, as having posted an announcement on Instagram. Its coverage also placed his death at his home in Santiago.
RTBF carried an announcement attributing the death to health reasons. IndieWire Movies separately reported that he was found dead at home amid a health issue. The supplied reports do not identify a specific medical cause.
Where it stands
The available coverage establishes Lelio's age, the location of his death and a broad reference to health problems. It does not provide further medical details.
The reports also trace a career beyond A Fantastic Woman. IndieWire Movies noted that he directed Paulina García to a Silver Bear win for Gloria in 2013, then remade the film as Gloria Bell with Julianne Moore in 2018.
What remains unclear
The specific cause of Lelio's death remains unreported in the supplied coverage. The references to health reasons do not establish a diagnosis or explain the circumstances further.
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