Silvio Santos TV HOST passed away at the age of 93

Silvio Santos a towering figure in Brazilian media and one of the country’s most beloved television personalities, passed away at the age of 93. Santos, born Senor Abravanel, transitioned from humble beginnings as a street vendor to become the owner of a vast business empire, which included the SBT TV channel—one of Brazil’s most-watched television networks.

SBT, the channel he founded in the 1980s, announced his death on Saturday, describing him as “eternal in our hearts.” Santos had been hospitalized in São Paulo since the beginning of August with a case of H1N1 flu, and according to his medical report, he died of bronchopneumonia in the early hours of Saturday.

Silvio Santos :

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva paid tribute to Santos on social media, calling him “the greatest personality in the history of Brazilian television and one of the country’s great communicators.”

Santos was not just a media mogul; he was also a charismatic showman. He hosted popular game shows until around 2022, captivating audiences, particularly among lower-income families, with his energetic and engaging style. A hallmark of his shows was the moment when he would throw paper planes made of money into the audience, sparking a joyful scramble among attendees.

Born to Sephardic Jewish immigrants from the former Ottoman Empire who settled in Rio de Janeiro’s Lapa district, Santos started his working life as a teenager selling plastic card protectors on the streets. His talent for communication was recognized by a radio station, leading to a career as a radio announcer. He eventually moved into television, hosting shows on various local channels throughout the 1960s and 1970s, including TV Globo, before establishing SBT in 1981.

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His business interests extended beyond television, including a cosmetics company, a financial firm, and real estate holdings. In 2016, Forbes estimated his empire to be worth over $1 billion.

Santos’s life was not without drama. In 2001, he was kidnapped for seven hours by a man who had previously taken his daughter hostage. The incident was broadcast live on Brazilian television, capturing the nation’s attention.

Santos is survived by six daughters—two from his first marriage, including one who was adopted, and four from his second marriage to Íris Pássaro Abravanel. His legacy as a media pioneer and beloved television personality will be remembered by millions of Brazilians.