Sebastião Salgado, the iconic Brazilian photographer recognized for his stunning portrayals of life in the Amazon rainforest and beyond, passed away at the age of 81. His death was confirmed by Instituto Terra, an environmental nonprofit he co-founded with his wife. The organization did not disclose details regarding the location of his passing or the cause, but family members noted that Salgado struggled with health issues after a bout of malaria.
Instituto Terra honored Salgado’s legacy with a heartfelt message on social media, stating, “Sebastião was much more than one of the greatest photographers of our time. His lens revealed the world and its contradictions; his life, the power of transformative action.” Salgado’s work frequently focused on black-and-white imagery, capturing the beauty and struggles of the Amazon and the impoverished communities surrounding it.
Most notably, in 1986, he created some of his most recognized photographs of gold miners in Pará, Brazil, drawing attention to the often overlooked human experiences behind environmental issues. His contributions to the field of photography earned him numerous accolades, including the prestigious Leica Oskar Barnack Award and multiple World Press Photo honors. Additionally, he was appointed an honorary member of the Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1992 and the French Academy of Fine Arts in 2016.
Salgado was born on February 8, 1944, in Aimorés, a small town in Minas Gerais, Brazil. His journey took him to France in the late 1960s amid Brazil's military dictatorship, where he honed his craft and gained international acclaim. A full obituary detailing his remarkable life and career is expected to follow shortly.
