Brazilian Media Mogul Silvio Santos Passes Away at 93

Silvio Santos, a prominent Brazilian media mogul and founder of SBT TV, has died at 93. Known for his unique showmanship, Santos built a business empire valued at over $1 billion. He was a beloved figure in Brazilian TV, captivating audiences with his game shows and charisma.

Brazilian media mogul Silvio Santos, who transitioned from a street vendor to the owner of a major business empire including SBT TV, one of Brazil's largest TV channels, has died at the age of 93, according to his network SBT.

Silvio Santos, born Senor Abravanel, had been hospitalized in Sao Paulo since early August due to contracting the flu. He founded SBT TV in the 1980s, transforming it into one of Brazil's top three TV stations, rivalling TV Globo.

Abravanel, a showman at heart, hosted popular game shows until 2022. Starting his career in radio, he soon moved to TV during the 1960s-70s and established his broadcasting legacy with SBT TV in 1981. His empire featured diverse investments, and he was valued at over $1 billion by Forbes in 2016.

(With inputs from agencies.)