Family and friends bid farewell to Preta Gil in Rio de Janeiro — Heartbreaking images
Preta Gil’s farewell brought together family, close friends, and admirers at the Municipal Theater in Rio de Janeiro on July 25. The ceremony, which was open to the public, was filled with emotional content, music, tributes, and a strong presence of personalities from the artistic world.
Amidst tears, hugs, and displays of affection, the grief was evident in every corner of the venue. One social media user expressed , “Carolina died with her 😢,” alluding to the reaction of actress Carolina Dieckmann, one of the singer’s best friends, who couldn’t hold back her tears upon arriving at the venue with her husband Tiago Worcman.
He died at the age of 50.
According to press reports, Preta was already on her way back to Brazil when her condition worsened. She was rushed to a medical center and died shortly after. During her recovery, she shared messages of hope and gratitude with her followers. In February of this year, she posted a video celebrating her discharge after 55 days of hospitalization : “It was almost two months of fighting, and I never stopped believing!”
The artist, daughter of renowned musician Gilberto Gil and Sandra Gadelha, maintained a transparent public attitude throughout her treatment. She posted constant updates on her progress and spoke openly about her experience, becoming an inspiration to many.
A funeral packed with artists
The funeral began half an hour late and ran longer than expected. Preta Gil’s coffin, carried by her son Francisco Gil, her father Otávio Müller, and singer Carlinhos Brown, was carried amid applause in a Fire Department truck along the traditional carnival circuit in downtown Rio, where the artist led her Bloco da Preta each year.
Gilberto Gil leaves the Municipal Theater after attending his daughter’s wake in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 25, 2025. Preta Gil, daughter of musical legend Gilberto Gil, died on July 20 in New York City, USA, at age 50, after battling cancer. | Photo: Getty Images
Preta ‘s 9-year-old granddaughter , Sol de Maria, also attended, accompanied by her mother, Laura Fernandez. Both joined the farewell amidst a crowd that had been lining up early to enter the venue. On social media, empathy prevailed: “I cry every time I see it…” was one comment , referring to the images that captured the intensity of the moment.
Brazilian musician Carlinhos Brown (left) carries the coffin of singer and actress Preta Gil, after the wake at the Theatro Municipal in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 25, 2025. | Getty Images
The wake was attended by artists and public figures such as Ivete Sangalo, Regina Casé, Ana Carolina, Fernanda Torres, Bruna Marquezine, and Caetano Veloso. First Lady Janja da Silva and Minister of Culture Margareth Menezes also attended to pay tribute to the artist.
In the theater lobby, a screen projected photos from Preta Gil’s life. Around her, wreaths and flags were piled up, like the one from the Mangueira samba school, where the singer was drum queen in 2007. Some attendees wore T-shirts with her image and the phrase : “Preta is everything – love has always been action.”
Carolina Dieckmann attends the funeral of Brazilian singer and actress Preta Gil, at the Municipal Theater in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 25, 2025. | Photo: Getty Images
The emotion also spread online. One netizen commented , “That was a real friend, we should all have friendships like that,” referring to the connection between Preta and Carolina Dieckmann, which was evident at the wake. Another user wrote , “The kiss she gave him shows how much love they had for each other,” after seeing images of her friend approaching the coffin to say goodbye.
Artist Ju de Paulla, one of Preta Gil’s closest friends, revealed that the singer left precise instructions about how she wanted her farewell. According to her, Preta recorded a video detailing her desire for a joyful ceremony, with music, beer, crowds, and spontaneity. “Organizing confusion, with everyone mixed up, music, and joy. Nothing more Preta than that,” Ju expressed .
Francisco Müller attends the funeral of his mother, Brazilian singer and actress Preta Gil, at the Municipal Theater in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 25, 2025. | Photo: Getty Images
However, one of her greatest wishes remained unfulfilled. The singer had stated in a previous interview that she dreamed of her body being carried away in an electric trio, carnival-style, while Ivete Sangalo sang atop the vehicle: “I want it to be a real micareta. If Ivete goes after me, put her, even if she’s old, in the trio,” she said at the time.
The sense of loss conveyed by the images, and especially by the video of Carolina Dieckmann, a friend of the singer, was also echoed by those who had never met her in person. One internet user wrote : “I’ve already lost a friend, it hurts so much 😢.” And another added : “My God… I cry every time I see it…” For many, Preta Gil was more than an artist. She was a close, luminous, and endearing presence.