Death of Silvio Santos
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 Silvio Santos in 2019 | |
 | |
| Native name | Morte de Sílvio Santos |
|---|---|
| Date | August 17, 2024 |
| Time | 4:50 a.m. (UTC−03:00[1]) |
| Location | São Paulo, Brazil |
| Coordinates | 23°36′02″S 46°42′55″W / 23.60056°S 46.71528°W |
| Cause | bronchopneumonia after infection with H1N1 |
On August 17, 2024, Senor Abravanel, known by the pseudonym Silvio Santos, one of Brazil's greatest television presenters, died of bronchopneumonia following an influenza infection at the Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, in São Paulo, at the age of 93.[2][1] His death had international repercussion.[3]
Silvio Santos had begun to retire from the entertainment industry in 2023, including stepping down as host of his eponymous SBT variety show Programa Silvio Santos in February after 60 years, with his daughter Patricia Abravanel (who had guest hosted the program from October 2021 to April 2022 after Santos was diagnosed with COVID-19) becoming the main host afterward. Santos still planned to make occasional on-air appearances, and did not officially announce a formal retirement.[4][5][6]
Santos' health began to show problems on July 18, 2024, when he was taken to the Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein in São Paulo. The information was initially published by Folha de S. Paulo,[7] but the SBT press office denied that the presenter was hospitalized.[8]
Hours later, the press office retracted its statement and said that Silvio Santos had been admitted to hospital to recover from H1N1.[9] In an official statement read out by presenter Michelle Barros on the "Chega Mais" program, SBT said that Silvio was being medicated and that the family was grateful for everyone's affection. On the 20th, he was discharged and returned home.[10][11]
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On August 1, he was hospitalized again for imaging tests, according to SBT's press office, and has remained hospitalized ever since:[12][13]
"[He's] fine. He's back for imaging tests, because they do x-rays at home. Imaging tests have to be carried out in hospital"
— Official note from SBT as soon as the second hospitalization was announced., Silvio Santos: SBT confirma internação do apresentador, [14]
Despite the optimistic tone of the information provided by his advisors, the newspaper O Globo reported on August 2 that Silvio Santos' health required greater care from the doctors who were monitoring the evolution of his condition.[15] The family prevented the Albert Einstein Hospital from releasing medical bulletins.
On that occasion, SBT's press office also denied that Silvio was in poor health in an official statement.
"SBT informs that, contrary to what is being speculated in the press, communicator Silvio Santos is not in a critical state of health. Silvio Santos remains in hospital only for the necessary medical care and is being medicated for his speedy recovery".
— "SBT" nega que estado de saúde de Silvio Santos seja crítico, [16]
In an interview with CNN Brasil, Patrícia Abravanel, the communicator's daughter, said on August 5 that the presenter was expected to be discharged soon,[17] although she didn't specify the date:
"He's better, he's getting better. He's even playing a few pranks."
Patrícia also appeared alongside her sister, Rebeca Abravanel, in an interview with Brasil Urgente on Band. During the conversation with reporters Tiago Alberico and Felipe Henrique, both stressed that Silvio was "stable and talking, making jokes and in a good mood".[18]
The last public update on Silvio Santos' state of health was given by his grandson, Tiago Abravanel, during the book signing for Preta Gil's new book on August 14. Tiago revealed that his grandfather was showing signs of improvement and was being well looked after by the hospital's medical team and his family:[19]
"Faith brings a lot of hope. We hope that he'll get well soon."
