Nora Canales, Daughters Confirm Estate Battle Over Late Tejano Icon Johnny Canales Resolved

The legal drama surrounding the estate of legendary Tejano TV host Johnny Canales has officially come to a close. Nora Canales, Johnny’s longtime partner and co-host of El Show de Johnny y Nora Canales, confirmed to Tejano Nation contributor NDO that she is legally recognized as his surviving spouse.

“Everything is good. We’re moving forward,” Nora shared after a press conference held in Corpus Christi, Texas, on Tuesday (Sept. 2). “Legally, I am the widow of Johnny Canales and everything that is Johnny—his legacy—it goes to my daughters. Everything is positive. Everything is beautiful. So everything that was negative, it’s now good to go.”

At the center of the dispute was Sylvia Castillo, who claimed she had married Canales in 1980 and never divorced him, despite having remarried several times since. Castillo asserted she was Johnny’s rightful surviving spouse, a claim Nora and her legal team strongly contested.

With the matter settled, Nora expressed her gratitude to fans and supporters who stood by her family during the process. “Tejano Nation, muchísimas gracias for being our voice when we couldn’t speak because of the legal things that was going on,” she said. “We appreciate your support and for being out there for Johnny’s legacy, defending Johnny’s legacy. We want to thank you for that.”

Looking ahead, Nora announced a brand-new project, Nora Canales y La Verdad. “We’re interviewing artists. We’re traveling with them. It’s going to be something different, something beautiful. And we’re just excited for that,” she revealed. “We ask the people to support us and to love us and to keep us with them close like they have done all their lives.”

The family is also continuing to honor Johnny’s impact with the documentary Take It Away: The Rise and Fall of Tejano Hollywood, which features his final recordings. Upcoming screenings are scheduled for September 5-6 in Miami and December 6-7 in McAllen, with more festival appearances planned. “Hopefully we’ll be able to take it to Corpus and a lot of places,” Nora added. “So let us know where you’d like to take it.”

Above all, Nora shared heartfelt thanks to Johnny’s loyal fanbase. “God has blessed us with such an amazing base that Johnny created through his name, through his legacy, through the show,” she said. “They were our voice when we couldn’t [speak]. We felt so protected, so represented. I’m very grateful, forever grateful, and I will always pray for them.”

Johnny Canales, who passed away in 2024, remains one of Tejano music’s most influential figures. His legacy continues through his family, fans, and the projects keeping his spirit alive.

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