Jakarta, IndonesiaSentinel.com — Brazilian music icon Sergio Mendes, renowned for his role in popularizing bossa nova worldwide, has passed away in Los Angeles on Thursday, September 5, 2024. The news was confirmed by several international media outlets on Friday, September 6.
Mendes, who was 83, had been battling complications from long-term COVID-19. He is celebrated for his fusion of bossa nova and funk, having released numerous albums over his illustrious career.
The musician is survived by his wife, Gracinha Leporace Mendes, and his children. According to a statement from his family, Mendes was surrounded by loved ones in his final moments.
“His wife and musical partner for the past 54 years, Gracinha Leporace Mendes, was by his side, as well as his beloved children,” the family said, as reported by The Guardian on Sunday, September 8, 2024.
The family also highlighted Mendes’s recent successful international performances. “His final concerts in Europe last November were met with great enthusiasm, with sold-out shows in Paris, London, and Barcelona,” they added.
Details about Mendes’s illness were revealed later. “In recent months, his health deteriorated due to long-term effects of COVID-19,” the family noted.
About Sergio Mendes
Sergio Mendes gained global fame with his band, Brasil ’66, and was known for blending bossa nova with funk rhythms. He was married to singer Gracinha Leporace.
Mendes’s achievements include an Oscar nomination in 2012 for Best Original Song for “Real in Rio,” from the animated film Rio. He also won a Grammy Award in 1993 for Best World Music Album for his work on Brasileiro. Mendes collaborated with many notable artists, including the Black Eyed Peas, cementing his legacy in contemporary music.
(Ray)
