Remember famous people who died for Covid-19 in 2021

Covid-19 and its complications shook the Brazilian culture in 2021, even with the advance of immunization. Especially in the first semester, many artists, producers and cultural journalists lost their lives to the disease.

The year began with the death of Genival Lacerda, iconic singer and composer for the forró, on January 7th. With complications from Covid, he had been hospitalized since November 2020. Three days later, producer and journalist Raphael Acioli, aged just 36, died after suffering from kidney and liver failure aggravated by the virus.

Also among the musicians, the Amazonian Zezinho Corrêa, vocalist, died on February 6th. He played the hit “Tic Tic Tac” with the group Carrapicho in the 1990s. The romantic singer Agnaldo Timóteo, from the hits “Último Romântico” and “Um Dia de Domingo”, died on April 3, at the age of 84.

Another outstanding figure in national music, Nelson Sargento died on May 27 at the age of 96, also a victim of Covid-19 complications. He was hospitalized with anorexia and dehydration and tested positive for the virus at the National Cancer Institute. The samba musician began composing for Mangueira at the age of 25, and created successful plots such as “Cântico à Natureza” and “Agoniza Mas Não Morre”.

Reynaldo Rayol, singer and composer who stood out during the Jovem Guarda, died on June 15, aged 76 —his brothers, Agnaldo and Ronaldo Rayol, also have extensive musical careers.

Cleto Alves da Rocha Jr., a producer from the sertanejos Chitãozinho and Xororó, died on January 10, aged 64. In the same musical genre, singer Kleber, from the duo with Kauê, died at just 37.

Icon of dance in Brazil and in the world, Ismael Ivo died at the age of 66 on April 8th. Dancer and choreographer from the outskirts of São Paulo, he was director of the Ballet of the City of São Paulo, director of the Venice Biennale and one of the main names in contemporary national dance.

​Television

The year was also strongly marked by the loss of Paulo Gustavo, 42. The actor and comedian famous for the franchise “Minha Mãe é uma Peça” died on May 5, after a long period of hospitalization in Rio de Janeiro.

In August, actor Tarcísio Meira, husband of Glória Menezes since 1961 and immortalized as one of the greatest heartthrobs of Brazilian dramaturgy, died. Dead at the age of 85, he appeared in more than 60 programs on national television, including soap operas, series and specials.

Presenter Stanley Gusman, of TV Alterosa, affiliated with SBT, died on January 10, 2021. In his program, Alterosa Alerta, he even defended campaigns against social isolation and other protection measures against the virus.

Larry King, one of the most famous television presenters in the United States, passed away at 87 on January 23rd.

The comedian Kleber Lopes, who played the character Rick Marcos on the program “A Praça é Nossa” (SBT), died at just 39 years old on March 7th. He was the victim of a Covid-associated cardiac arrest.

Famous for “Chiquititas” and “Sítio do Pica-Pau Amarelo”, actor João Acaiabe died on March 31, aged 76, after suffering two cardiac arrests, which were also related to the virus.