Sep 4, 2008 (DVB), Much-loved actress and singer May Shin died of old age at Mandalay General Hospital in upper Burma at 11pm yesterday.

May Shin was 92 years old when she died.

She was born of two merchant parents in Mandalay in 1916, and began her acting career in the first Burmese audio film 'Hmyar Nat Maung' (Cupid) at the age of 19.

She went on to enjoy enormous success in her acting and singing career, recording songs such as 'Aung Chin Shitpar' (Eight Types of Success), 'Kyay Saytaman' (Parakeet Messenger), 'Thet Wai' (Beloved) and 'Pyoh Hmardan' (Maiden's Message), which were very popular with the Burmese public.

Despite her success and the opportunities on offer in Rangoon, May Shin did not move to the former capital but stayed in Mandalay and lived on Myat Sandar road in Aungtawmye ward, Chanmyaytharzan township, until her death.

She never married and lived with her nieces.

She will be buried in Mandalay Kyarnikan cemetery on Friday, 5 September.

May Shin's biographer Kyaw Yin Myint said her death was a great loss to the nation and that she could not be replaced.

Reporting by DVB