MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Three days of mourning in Brazil over death of singer Rita Lee

The title of Queen of Rock does justice to Rita Lee's trajectory, Lula said

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva Tuesday decreed three days of mourning over the death of singer Rita Lee, who passed away at her São Paulo home at the age of 75, Agencia Brasil reported. The measure was published in an extra issue of the Diário Oficial da União (DOU - Official Gazette). Lee had been diagnosed with lung cancer in 2021.

Lula described Lee as “one of the greatest and most brilliant names in Brazilian music. Singer, songwriter, actress, and multi-instrumentalist. An artist ahead of her time. I thought the title Queen of Rock was inappropriate, but the nickname does justice to her trajectory.”

The president also pointed out that “Rita helped transform Brazilian music with her creativity and daring. She spared nothing and nobody with her humor and eloquence. She faced machismo in life and in music and inspired generations of women in rock and art. She will never be forgotten and leaves in music and books her legacy to millions of fans worldwide. My fraternal embrace to her sons Beto, João, and Antônio, family, and friends. Rita, now you are missing.”

Rita Lee's wake will be open to the public at the Planetarium of Ibirapuera Park, Wednesday from 10 am to 5 pm. “According to Rita's will, her body will be cremated. The ceremony will be private. In this moment of deep sadness, the family thanks everyone for their affection and love,” says a note from the family.

Rita Lee leaves her husband, Roberto de Carvalho, and three sons - Beto, 45; João, 44; and Antônio, 42.

(Source: Agencia Brasil)