Preta Gil Dies at 50: Legacy of Music, Activism & Courage

RIO DE JANEIRO / U.S. (July 20–21, 2025) – Preta Maria Gadelha Gil Moreira, known to millions simply as Preta Gil, passed away on July 20, 2025, in the United States after a brave two‑year fight against rectal cancer. She was just 50 years old, a dynamic singer, actress, entrepreneur, and outspoken advocate whose influence cut across generations and causes.

Her father, Brazilian music legend Gilberto Gil, reportedly suffered “a spike in blood pressure” upon hearing the news—an emotional testament to the bond of one of Brazil’s most iconic families.

Preta Gil Early Life & Career Beginnings

Born on August 8, 1974, in Rio de Janeiro, Preta was the fourth of Gilberto Gil’s eight children and goddaughter of singer Gal Costa. Growing up in an artistic household surrounded by icons like Caetano Veloso, she dreamed of the stage from a young age.

Despite launching a marketing firm first, Preta fully embraced her artistic calling at age 28, releasing her debut album Prêt-à-Porter in 2003. It blended pop, funk, samba, and MPB, capturing both controversy and celebration with its bold messages and naked album artwork.

Preta Gil Discography & Television Appearances

Over two decades, Preta released:

• Prêt-à-Porter (2003)
  
• Preta (2005)
  
• Sou Como Sou (2012)
  
• Todas as Cores (2017)
  

She hosted major TV shows (Esquenta!, The Voice Brasil) and acted in Brazilian telenovelas (Caminhos do Coração, Os Mutantes, Ó PAI Ó).

As “Bloco da Preta,” her Carnival street party became Rio’s third-largest, attracting 2.5 million celebrants with inclusivity at its heart.

Preta Gil Activism & Personal Courage

Preta was a fierce advocate for marginalized communities:

• LGBTQ+ rights—she publicly identified as pansexual in 2020.
  
• Body positivity, racial equality, and women’s empowerment—she used her platform to normalize diverse bodies and voices.
  

During her illness, Preta openly shared her journey from ileostomy and chemotherapy to experimental treatments at Memorial Sloan Kettering, breaking medical taboos and providing solace to fellow patients.

Preta Gil Battle with Cancer & Final Days

Diagnosed in January 2023, Preta initially went into remission, but cancer returned in August 2024, affecting lymph nodes, peritoneum, and ureter. She sought advanced treatments in the U.S. in May 2025, spending 55 days hospitalized at Memorial Sloan Kettering.

She passed away just before returning home to Brazil, surrounded by family, including her son Francisco (b. 1995) and granddaughter Sol de Maria.

Preta Gil Family & Bonds

Preta leaves behind:

• Son Francisco
  
• Granddaughter Sol de Maria
  
• Her father Gilberto Gil
  
• Ex-husbands Otávio Müller (son Francisco, 1995) and Rodrigo Godoy (m. 2015–2023).
  

Entrepreneur & Media Maven

She also founded Mynd, a prominent Brazilian marketing and influencer-management agency (Music2Mynd), serving brands like P&G, Natura, Coca-Cola, and more. Under her leadership, Mynd earned the 2019 Prêmio Caboré award for marketing excellence.

Preta Gil Legacy & Final Tribute

Preta Gil’s legacy is one of courage, authenticity, and empowerment. She conquered stages, screens, and social stigma alike—using her voice for art and advocacy, illuminating issues from racism to health with signature vibrancy and vulnerability.

As tributes pour in from Brazil and beyond, she’s celebrated not just as Gilberto Gil’s daughter, but as a woman who embodied her values: proud, fearless, and deeply human.

Preta Gil’s passing is a profound loss to the arts and activism. Her life was a mosaic of love, resistance, creativity, and unapologetic truth. As we mourn, we also celebrate an icon who sang, spoke, and fought bravely—leaving the world richer for her presence.

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