Sebastião Salgado: Renowned Brazilian Photographer Passes Away at 81

Sebastião Salgado, the acclaimed Brazilian photographer, whose haunting black-and-white images captured the profound connections between humans and nature, has died at the age of 81. He passed away on Friday, as confirmed by Instituto Terra, an environmental organization he co-founded with his wife. Although the cause of death was not specified, family members revealed Salgado had been battling health issues following a malaria infection.

Born on February 8, 1944, in Aimorés, Minas Gerais, Brazil, Salgado gained prominence by documenting the struggles of impoverished communities and environmental degradation. His powerful photographs, including a poignant series from a gold mine in Pará in 1986, resonated globally, earning him prestigious awards like the Leica Oskar Barnack Award and multiple accolades from World Press Photo. His contributions to the arts were recognized by esteemed institutions, such as the Academy of Arts and Sciences. Salgado's lens not only portrayed reality but also ignited a dialogue about transformative action in a changing world. A full obituary is forthcoming, honoring the legacy of a man who captured the world's contradictions with grace and intensity.