Zsa Zsa Padilla (born Esperanza Padilla; May 28, 1964) is a Filipina singer and actress. She is currently part of ABS-CBN contract actresses.

Biography

Padilla was born as Esperanza Padilla in 1964, the daughter of actor and sportsman Carlos “Sonny” Padilla, Jr. who served as the referee in the Ali-Frazier world heavyweight boxing match. She is a singer who has performed in various concerts in the Philippines and overseas. She has also acted in movies, television and on the stage. Padilla is also a songwriter, commercial model, product endorser, businesswoman, and music producer.

Padilla started as a member of the Manila Sound band, Hotdog, in the mid-70s and then in 1982 went solo. In 1987, her first TV role was as the wife of a gay man in the series "Lovingly Yours Helen". In the same, her first movie role was in the film "Mga Anak Ni Facifica Falayfay" with Filipino comedian Dolphy, her partner of more than 20 years. She is the mother of Filipina singer and actress Karylle and singer Zia Quizon. She is the cousin of a fellow singer Gino Padilla. Actress Lorna Tolentino and TV/Radio Host Amy Perez are also her cousins and they are nieces of actor Jerry Pons. On August 2012, she confirmed that she has Stage 1 Kidney Cancer, but lately after her operation it was confirmed a benign tumor.