Brazilian singer Netinho, one of the central figures in the national rise of axé music, died at age 60 on the morning of Tuesday (13) at Hospital Aliança Star in Salvador, Bahia. The musician was undergoing treatment for a recurrence of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, an aggressive cancer affecting the lymphatic system, and experienced fatal clinical deterioration over recent days.
According to an official statement released by the singer’s communications team, complications from the disease caused severe multi-system failure. Representatives confirmed that the clinical evolution of the lymphoma ultimately led to renal failure and multiple organ dysfunction during his intensive care stay, bringing profound grief to his family, colleagues, and fans across the country.
Oncological care for the singer had been supervised directly by hematologist Glória Bonfim throughout his extended hospital stays. Netinho had been readmitted to the healthcare facility in the capital of Bahia to resume structured chemotherapy protocols while undergoing clinical evaluations for an autologous bone marrow transplant. During earlier phases of the therapeutic regimen, which began in 2025, the performer publicly disclosed receiving 128 subcutaneous injections across his abdominal area to manage the condition.
Faced with worsening physical symptoms and demanding treatment protocols, the musician’s team formally announced a complete pause in his digital interactions on September 30, 2026. At that moment, his staff issued a statement explaining that the artist chose to temporarily step away from social media channels to dedicate his remaining physical strength and focus toward inpatient medical procedures.
During the final weeks of medical care, the singer shared personal reflections with close staff members expressing peace regarding his artistic accomplishments. In words later released by his representatives, Netinho stated that he would depart fulfilled because life had granted him far more than he ever dreamed, emphasizing that he carried the enduring joy of every fan touched by his musical legacy.
Chronological milestones across singer’s life and artistic career
- July 12, 1966 — Birth of Ernesto de Souza Andrade Júnior in the interior municipality of Santo Antônio de Jesus, Bahia.
- 1988 — Professional breakthrough as frontman of Banda Beijo during Salvador Carnival alongside the release of the nationwide hit Beijo na Boca.
- 1993 — Transition to an independent solo career following his departure from Banda Beijo.
- 1996 — Release of the single Milla, written by Manno Góes, establishing a major milestone for axé music and expanding his tours internationally.
- 2008 — Public declaration regarding his bisexuality, a topic he addressed candidly during subsequent media appearances.
- 2013 — Prolonged hospitalization following three strokes linked to anabolic steroid use, causing temporary vocal cord paralysis.
- 2022 — Campaign for federal deputy representing the Liberal Party in Bahia, receiving 31,000 votes and finishing as an alternate.
- February 25, 2025 — Initial hospitalization after acute leg pain, resulting in a formal diagnosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma the following month.
- September 30, 2026 — Official announcement of his withdrawal from public communication to concentrate on specialized clinical care.
- October 13, 2026 — Death confirmed at Hospital Aliança Star in Salvador due to multiple organ dysfunction.
From Banda Beijo origins to the global resonance of Milla
Born Ernesto de Souza Andrade Júnior in the Recôncavo region of Bahia, the performer relocated with his family to Salvador at age 10. He acquired his first acoustic guitar at age 14 as a gift from his mother, showing an early inclination toward instrumental performance. By age 16, he enrolled in the civil engineering program at Universidade Católica do Salvador, balancing academic coursework with small evening gigs in local school halls and neighborhood venues where he performed bossa nova and traditional MPB classics.
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His professional path transformed radically in 1988 after he assumed lead vocal duties for Banda Beijo during the festive celebrations of Salvador Carnival. The musical outfit earned rapid visibility across Brazil thanks to the infectious popularity of the single Beijo na Boca. Under his vocal leadership, the group continued to release celebrated party anthems, placing tracks such as Estrela primeira, Barracos, and A vida é festa at the top of national radio charts.
Netinho opted for a solo trajectory in 1993, expanding his touring reach and refining his artistic production. In 1996, he achieved the defining commercial milestone of his career with the release of Milla, an upbeat track composed by musician Manno Góes. The recording evolved into an enduring anthem of modern Brazilian pop music, inspiring translated versions in multiple international territories and sending the artist on international concert tours through Italy and Chile.
Beyond stage performances, Netinho established an extensive footprint in technical production and independent recording. He built a high-end recording and mixing complex in Rio de Janeiro, providing acoustic infrastructure utilized by Brazilian and international figures including Maria Bethânia, Milton Nascimento, Gilberto Gil, Laura Pausini, and Lenny Kravitz. Alongside the facility, he managed an independent record label aimed at discovering and mentoring up-and-coming talent from the state of Bahia.
Health struggles, political candidacy and private funeral plans
Well before his cancer diagnosis, the performer confronted extreme physical adversity that nearly halted his professional pursuits. In 2013, Netinho endured critical clinical complications directly attributed to past use of anabolic steroids. The medical crisis triggered three separate strokes that severely damaged his vocal cords and left him unable to speak for an extended period, requiring intensive motor rehabilitation and forcing a four-year absence from his traditional performances at Salvador Carnival.
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In his private life, Netinho was married from 1997 to 2003 to journalist Mariana Trindade, a union that produced his daughter, Bruna Trindade. Decades later, he stepped briefly into electoral politics during the 2022 general elections, running as a legislative candidate for the Liberal Party in Bahia, where he garnered 31,000 votes and obtained an alternate designation under official electoral court records.
Prior to his final hospital admission, the artist was actively developing a comprehensive creative endeavor titled 1966, named after the year of his birth. The conceptual initiative was intended to feature retrospective concert appearances integrated with custom artificial intelligence visuals and digital audio restoration. The production work reflected his continued passion for blending cutting-edge stage technology with popular rhythms from northeastern Brazil.
Following express instructions recorded by the artist before his health deteriorated, all upcoming memorial ceremonies and cremation rites will remain strictly private for immediate relatives and intimate acquaintances. Family representatives decided to withhold specific scheduling details and the exact cemetery location from public dissemination, requesting privacy during the mourning period.