Rita Lee’s Doctors Gave Three Months to Live When Diagnosing Cancer in 2021

Musician Roberto de Carvalho spoke for the first time after the death of his wife, Rita Lee, last Monday (8), aged 75. To Fantástico (Globo), he recalled the 47 years of relationship and his partner’s fight against lung cancer. “Rita is considered a miracle by the doctors who took care of her”, he says.

Roberto remembers moments that, according to him, were very painful. “Doctors predicted a three to four month survival. She took the deal stoically,” he says. The diagnosis cited by the musician took place in 2021 — Rita lived for two more years.

“She wanted to live, she didn’t want to leave. Until the end, she never wanted to leave. I told her: ‘I want to change places with you, because you have much more to do than me'”, says the musician. Rita’s final moments, according to him, were “light, calm, sweet”. The relatives set up a structure like a hospital in the apartment: “In the last phase, she looked like a little child, a bird. And she stopped. At peace”.

In addition to remembering the last years of his wife’s life, Roberto also spoke about the connection they had and the longing that remains. “I am extremely attentive and also happy to have always been around such a lively person, so full of life, creativity, joy, light. A great privilege.”

“We became better half. I can’t say that there is Rita and Roberto. Roberto is Rita too. Rita is Roberto too. In life or in death. In one circumstance or another, I remain her and she’s still me,” he added.

In conversation with reporter Renata Ceribelli, he cried and got emotional at different times. “Maybe I’ll stay like this forever. It’s always going to be difficult and I don’t have the slightest intention of making it easy. I’m sad, but I’m fine”, said Roberto.