Argentine journalist Ernestina Pais dies in traffic accident after overcoming health struggles

Ernestina Pais, a prominent Argentine journalist and producer, died Friday in a traffic accident. Her passing comes after a period of significant personal struggle and a planned return to the stage.

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After the pandemic, we all discovered we are very vulnerable and that our stability depends on a little bit, nothing more.

In a late 2025 interview with La Nación, Pais discussed her recovery from serious health setbacks and a battle with alcohol addiction, exacerbated by pandemic-related isolation and financial difficulties. She had been hospitalized for six and a half months in 2024 for mental health treatment, describing it as a "redemption" and a "rebirth."

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It's a miracle that I am here today, talking with you. Two years ago, I didn't see the way out and today I do, it's redemption, to believe again in the day to day and in the life you are living.

"After the pandemic, we all discovered we are very vulnerable," Pais had said, reflecting on her experience. "It's a miracle I'm here today. Two years ago, I didn't see a way out, but now I do." She likened herself to a "newborn baby," emphasizing that while recovery is possible, it requires daily effort and is not a simple path.

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I tell my friends 'I am a newborn baby'. I am no longer the Ernestina who went forward like a tractor.

Despite her recovery, Pais acknowledged the persistent fear of relapse. She was preparing to star in the play "El divorcio del año," written by José María Muscari and Mariela Asensio, and directed by Muscari. This theatrical return marked her first stage appearance since 2019, following her involvement in radio and television productions until 2023. The play was set to explore themes of relationships, family ties, and media scrutiny.

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Without a doubt, the fear of relapse is there. Each stage I go through has a different story.