The year 2025 saw the departure of several personalities who marked the history of art, music and photography in Brasil and abroad. Entre The most felt losses are that of photographer Sebastião Salgado, who died on May 23 at the age of 81 in Paris, in França. Salgado left a legacy of impactful images that documented social inequalities and environmental issues over decades.
Another farewell that moved the public was that of singer Preta Gil, who died in July at the age of 50 after a battle with bowel cancer. Filha from Gilberto Gil, she built a solid career in music and television, always engaged in social causes. The samba artist Arlindo Cruz also left in August, at the age of 66, leaving much missed in the samba world.
- Sebastião Salgado: documented migration and environmental degradation in more than 120 countries.
- Preta Gil: known for hits and public fight against the disease.
- Arlindo Cruz: samba icon with compositions recorded by big names.
These deaths occurred in a variety of contexts, from long-term health complications to natural causes associated with old age.
Trajectory of Sebastião Salgado
Sebastião Salgado was born in 1944 as Aimorés, Seus works included iconic records from Serra Pelada in the 1980s.
Salgado founded Instituto Terra with his wife Lélia Wanick Salgado, dedicated to the reforestation of Mata Atlântica. The project restored hundreds of hectares of degraded land. Ele has received international awards and was a UNICEF ambassador.
The cause of death was a blood disorder resulting from malaria contracted years earlier. Sua work continues to influence photographers and environmental activists.
Losses in Brazilian music
Preta Gil passed away on Nova York after years of treatment for cancer diagnosed in 2023. Seu funeral brought together family and fans at Rio of Janeiro.
Arlindo Cruz faced health complications before his departure. Ele composed sambas and hits performed by artists such as Zeca Pagodinho. Sua contribution to pagode and Rio samba remains alive in classical recordings.
Other musicians such as Lô Borges and Angela Ro Ro also left the scene in 2025. Lô Borges suffered multiple organ failure in Belo Horizonte. Angela Ro Ro was fighting a serious lung infection.
These absences affected the calendar of musical events in the country.
Farewells in entertainment
Francisco Cuoco died in June at the age of 91 in São Paulo hospital due to complications of age. The actor scored soap operas like sisters Courage and participated in dozens of productions on TV Globo.
Berta Loran left at the age of 99 in Rio of Ela immigrated as a child from Polônia fleeing persecution.
Ione Borges passed away in November at the age of 73 due to respiratory failure. The presenter ran the program Mulheres on TV Gazeta for years.
JP Mantovani died in September after a motorcycle accident in São Paulo at the age of 46. Ele gained visibility in reality shows like A Fazenda.
International and national legacies
Ozzy Osbourne passed away at the age of 76 dealing with Parkinson since 2020. The lead singer of
David Lynch left at the age of 78, director of films such as Cidade of Sonhos and series Sua enigmatic vision changed cinema.
In Brasil, Niède Guidon died at the age of 91, an archaeologist who defended the ancient settlement of the Américas. Luis Fernando Verissimo left literary works at the age of 87.
These personalities have accumulated awards and influenced generations in their fields.
Other notable losses
Nana Caymmi died at the age of 84 in Rio of Filha from Dorival Caymmi, performed MPB classics.
Hermeto Pascoal passed away at the age of 89 due to multiple organ failure. The multi-instrumentalist innovated in Brazilian music.
Val Kilmer left at age 65 of pneumonia, known for roles as Batman and Jim Morrison. Sua career included Top Gun.
These trajectories highlight diversity of cultural contributions in 2025.
Environmental and social contributions
Sebastião Salgado stood out for projects such as Gênesis, focused on untouched nature. Instituto Terra planted millions of native trees.
Preta Gil defended LGBTQIA+ causes and public health during treatment. Arlindo Cruz represented the culture of Rio’s communities.
Many of these celebrities engaged in social and environmental actions throughout their lives. Suas works serve as a historical record of global issues.
The year reinforced the importance of preserving cultural legacies.
