‘Silvio Santos and Zé Celso left a common legacy’, says Leona Cavalli

The historic dispute between Silvio Santos and Zé Celso over the fate of the land next to the Oficina theater took on new contours with the presenter’s death last Saturday (17).

Bixiga Park, a long-standing demand of Zé Celso, will be built. The question now is whether the park will be named after the owner of SBT or the playwright, who died a year ago in a fire.

In an interview with F5 This Tuesday (20), Leona Cavalli, who began her career at Oficina and was a friend and maid of honor at Zé Celso’s wedding, stated that Silvio made a great decision in giving up the land, but that she wants the park to be named after the playwright.

“It was a historical antagonism that resulted in many comings and goings, and in the end, Silvio gave way, leaving a great example,” said Leona. “They were two giant men who will forever be part of our culture. They were opposites in everything, views, behaviors. But the truth is that they left a common legacy, which is this gift to the city.”

When asked about the dispute over the park’s name, she didn’t hesitate: “I hope it’s named after Zé Celso. He fought hard for this land.”

The actress, out of soap operas since “Terra e Paixão” (2023), is preparing to bring to São Paulo the show “Ser Artista”, in which she pays homage to great actresses such as Bibi Ferreira, Nathalia Timberg and Nicete Bruno.

Leona spoke to the F5 at the launch of the biography of José Bonifácio de Oliveira Sobrinho, known as Boni. “He made and makes a huge difference in Brazilian communications,” she said about the evening’s honoree.