The singer and businesswoman Preta Gil died this Sunday (20) after battling cancer. Preta Gil had been in the United States since May undergoing treatment.
Via social media, the family released a statement lamenting the artist’s death and stating that they are now handling the procedures to bring her back to be buried in Brazil.
“With sadness we inform the passing of Preta Maria Gadelha Gil Moreira, in New York, where we are at this moment handling the procedures for her repatriation to Brazil. We ask for the understanding of so many dear friends, fans, and press professionals as we go through this difficult time as a family. As soon as possible, we will release information about the farewells,” said the note, published on the profile of her father, the musician Gilberto Gil as well.
Condolences
Also via social media, President Lula lamented the death of Preta Gil. The president spared no praise for the singer, whom he called “talented and hardworking in everything she did”.
“I am deeply saddened to learn that Preta Gil left us this Sunday night. Talented and hardworking in everything she did – whether as an artist or as a businesswoman – Preta continued spreading the joy of living even in the most difficult moments of her treatment. Preta was an extremely beloved and admired person by the public and by those who had the privilege of spending time with her. The stages and carnivals she so animated will miss her,” said Lula. The president also stated that, as soon as he heard the news, he called Gilberto Gil to offer words of comfort. Gilberto Gil was his Minister of Culture from 2003 to 2008.
Friends and personalities pay tribute to Preta Gil
The singer’s body will be brought back to Brazil for the farewell ceremonies. But the family has not yet announced when and where the wake will be held, nor whether it will be open to the public.
Preta had been in the United States since May but lived in Rio de Janeiro, where she was also born. The city hall and the state government of Rio decreed three days of official mourning for her death.
The singer and businesswoman was diagnosed with intestinal cancer in 2023, and even went into remission after surgeries and treatments. But in 2024, the disease returned in other parts of the body, leading to a new round of operations and medications, and experimental treatment in the US. Preta Gil is the daughter of singer Gilberto Gil and Sandra Gadelha, and leaves behind her son Francisco Gil and granddaughter Sol de Maria.
As an interpreter, she recorded four studio albums – the last one, Todas as Cores, was released in 2017 – and two live CDs and DVDs. One of the highlights of her career was the creation of Bloco da Preta, a street carnival bloc in Rio de Janeiro that gathered around 500,000 people. She was also a partner in Mynd, one of Brazil’s leading digital marketing agencies.
After confirmation of her death, Preta Gil received countless tributes from friends, authorities, and fans on social media. The messages highlight Preta’s exuberant personality, her outspoken positions, and above all, her dedication to friends and family.
Presenter and chef Bela Gil posted a childhood photo in her sister Preta’s lap with the phrase: “My greatest loss. My eternal inspiration and joy”.
Actress Carolina Dieckmann, who traveled to the United States to spend the last days by her friend’s side, wrote on her Instagram: “Making you endless caresses these last 4 days, being so close, with you… was the greatest gift in the world. Rest, my love. How you fought… It’s going to be very hard, but it’s a blessing the time we had… and our love is so much greater. I’m going to die of missing you; but I’m going to live with you here inside!!!”.
Presenter Luciano Huck also recalled Preta’s efforts in search of a cure: “My friend is gone. She fought bravely, facing the pain with courage and smiles. Preta was Preta until the end. Strong, generous, luminous. Now she rests. I still can’t believe it. Maybe I don’t even want to. We were Friends — with a capital F — for over 25 years. Among so many talents she had, being a friend to her friends was one of the rarest and most precious. That’s why she was so loved. That’s why she was so herself. And not by chance, she passed away right on Friend’s Day.”
Actress Zezé Motta sent messages of solidarity to the Gil family: “The pain of losing someone we watched grow up, whom we’ve followed since childhood, is a deep wound. Seeing this person face life with courage, fighting until the end against cancer with dignity and bravery, leaves us not only mourning, but also a great lesson. A lesson about strength, even in the face of adversities. (…) I don’t know what to say to my friend Gil, to dear Sandra, to everyone in this very special family. All I can do is pray and ask God to give us strength to overcome this moment. It’s a pain that can’t be measured. Rest in peace Preta, I love you and I’m sure Brazil does too.”
Beloved and inspiring
The Minister of Culture, Margareth Menezes, recalled that she met Preta as a teenager and saw the singer transform “into one of the most beloved, inspiring, most authentic artists in our country. Your free way of speaking and facing life, the joys and also the pains, without shame, without mincing words. You will leave a lot of longing, but also a lot of beauty. To the Gil family, all my love and solidarity,” wrote the minister.
Preta’s public stances were also highlighted by the Minister of Racial Equality, Anielle Franco: “Preta Gil was and always will be powerful. A woman who faced racism, machismo, fatphobia, and illness without ever losing her tenderness or her voice. She fought hard for her life and for everything she always believed in.”
The mayor of Rio de Janeiro, Eduardo Paes, also expressed his sorrow: “Rarely in my life have I met someone who brought such good vibes and spread joy and friendships wherever she went. How sad to see a person like that leave us!” In the comments on his Instagram post, Paes received suggestions from Rio residents to honor the singer by naming some city area after Preta Gil.
Source: Agência Brasil