Curious World Staff
Silvio Santos, a legendary personality in Brazilian television, died on August 17 at the age of 93. Born Senor Abravanel in Rio de Janeiro to Sephardic Jewish immigrants from Greece and Turkey, Santos rose from humble beginnings as a street seller to become one of Brazil’s wealthiest men and a popular television personality. His media empire encompassed SBT, one of Brazil’s largest television networks.
Often compared to Oprah Winfrey and Steven Spielberg by Forbes, Santos was celebrated as “Brazil’s first-ever celebrity billionaire.” His long-running show, Programa Silvio Santos, became a staple of Brazilian television, particularly popular with lower-income families. Known for his engaging interaction with audiences, his catchphrase “Who wants money?” became iconic as he tossed money into crowds.
Santos remained connected to his Jewish roots, educating millions about Jewish traditions such as Yom Kippur and making major yet discreet contributions to Jewish causes. Despite his family’s Christian faith, Santos had a Jewish funeral to honor his heritage.
His death from bronchopneumonia due to an H1N1 infection marks the end of an era in Brazilian television. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva called him “the greatest personality in the history of Brazilian television.”
Santos is survived by his wife Iris, six daughters, 14 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
