‘I often suffered because I thought I couldn’t have him as a grandfather’, says Tiago Abravanel about Silvio Santos

Almost two weeks after the death of TV presenter Silvio Santos, Tiago Abravanel paid tribute to his grandfather. The actor wrote an open letter, in which he calls him “the greatest communicator of all time – in Brazil or perhaps in the world”. He also highlighted the respect his relative had for his audience, his love for his family and is moved to share the relationship between the two. “I often suffered because I thought I couldn’t have him as a grandfather. Because he wasn’t present as I had idealized. Because I thought I didn’t deserve that place”, Tiago began.

He said he had undergone therapy to better understand his grandfather, who died at the age of 93 on the 17th, a victim of bronchopneumonia. “What he was able to give me was much greater than I could have imagined and that was through the person I love most in my life, who is my mother, my sisters and thousands of people I don’t even know, but who I receive from the bottom of my heart: love!” he acknowledged.

The son of Silvio Santos’ firstborn, Cíntia Abravanel, Tiago recalled one of the presenter’s iconic phrases from his talk shows, “I only believe when I see it,” to talk about faith. “So why is the phrase ‘I only believe when I see it!’ so powerful and, at the same time, so questionable? Maybe because it is one of the ways to materialize what is inside us. It is always good to remember that, many times, not seeing it with your own eyes is not enough.”

Finally, he concluded. “So, as I have faith, I know that we are closer than ever and that I will continue doing what I love: bringing joy, love and respect to whoever is willing and has an open heart. Because: I only believe… by living! Bravo, Sisi!”