92-Year-Old Rita Moreno Relying On Daughter For Help, Has Problems ‘Remembering Names’

Rita Moreno‘s unforgettable portrayal of Anita in the film adaptation of West Side Story, earned her critical acclaim and an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, making her the first Latina to claim such an honor. Beyond her groundbreaking Oscar win, Moreno’s career brims with accolades, including a Grammy Award, a Tony Award, and two Primetime Emmy Awards, solidifying her status as one of the select few to clinch all four major annual American entertainment awards.

Despite her enduring legacy, Moreno recently disclosed the health challenges she faces as she navigates the realities of aging. This latest development starkly contrasts her vibrant and active persona that she is known for.

Rita Moreno depends on her daughter as she advances in age

In an interview with People magazine, Moreno revealed that she is now more dependent on her daughter for support as she navigates her daily activities due to old age. “I’m constantly calling upon [Fernanda] to do things, I have a problem with remembering names, names of things, and names of people. It’s so much a part of being 92 right now,” Moreno told the news outlet. “There are times when I need her wisdom, and they are more often than you might think, particularly at this age – 92 is not easy in many ways, and it’s something that’s difficult to understand.”

She also noted that even though she fully grasps the certainty of death, she and her daughter have not had any discussion about the topic. “I think that as you, the parent gets older, I believe that the child has to be thinking about, ‘Well, at some point this will end,’” Moreno added. “It’s not something that Fernanda and I sit and discuss, but I just know that she has to think about that, I think we’re both pretty brave about it. Well, we’re really honest — very, very honest with each other.”

During the conversation, the 92-year-old mentioned that the relationship between her and her only daughter is so cordial that it has always inspired other people. “We constantly have people picking up on our closeness,” Moreno admitted, “and commenting, ‘I wish I felt that way about my mom!’”

Moreno also pointed out that while she continues to receive offers for roles in both films and television, her primary focus has shifted toward her family. “It’s the best thing in the world,” she confessed, “and when my grandsons [Justin, 25, and Cameron, 23,] were born, I could have died with happiness. I’m just so lucky that we’ve gotten to know each other so well.”