Elsa Soares, one of the most emblematic samba singers, passed away yesterday at her home in Rio de Janeiro, at the age of 91.
Born in a favela in Rio de Janeiro, Soares won acclaim, recorded 36 albums and sang at the opening ceremony of the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.
Many of her songs spoke about hard life in favelas, women's rights and racism in Brazilian society, issues on which she sought to raise public awareness.
"Racism still exists, but we are trying to fight it and we will make progress. "Racism is a disease," Soares said in a recent interview with Reuters last year.
In 1966, Elsa Soares married soccer star Mane Garrinca, who helped the Brazilian national team win the 1958 and 1962 World Cups with the legendary Pelé.
Their troubled 17-year relationship ended when Soares divorced Garinca because he handcuffed her during an argument. Garicza died of cirrhosis of the liver in 1983. Elsa Soares died on the same date, 39 years later.
Source: RES-EAP