Chico Buarque turns 80

Francisco Buarque de Hollanda, singer, composer, writer and playwright, was born in Rio de Janeiro, on June 19, 1944. Son of historian and sociologist Sérgio Buarque do Hollanda and Maria Amélia Cesário Alvim.

One of the most important composers in the country, he wrote his first songs in the 1950s, and released his first LP, “Chico Buarque de Hollanda”, in 1966. 

In 1966, the song “A Banda” shared first place at the Brazilian Popular Music Festival, on Record, with “Disparada”.

The following year, Chico Buarque and the group MPB-4 took third place at the Brazilian Popular Music Festival, with the iconic song "Roda Viva".

He wrote the play “Roda Viva”, directed by José Celso Martinez Corrêa. On July 18, 1968, after the end of the show, in São Paulo, the theater was vandalized and the artists were attacked.

Chico Buarque also wrote Gota D'Água (1975) and Ópera do Malandro (1978).

With strong political activity, he participated in the March of the Hundred Thousand, in 1968, and the campaign for direct voting, in 1984, among other demonstrations.

The composer was married to actress Marieta Severo, with whom he has 3 daughters.

Chico alongside his daughter Sílvia, his mother, Maria Amélia, and his sister, the singer Miúcha (1937-2018).

In 2009, another Jabuti Award came, with “Leite Derramado”, in the category of best fiction book.

Chico also wrote “Essa gente” (2019) and “Anos de chumbo e outro contos” (2021), among others.

Laureate of the Camões Prize in 2019, he only received it in 2023, in Lisbon, from President Lula. The singer and composer had not received the award before due to opposition from then-president Jair Bolsonaro.

Singers and composers Tom Jobim, Milton Nascimento and Chico Buarque de Hollanda (l-r), in Rio, in 1990.

In 1998, Chico was honored by the Mangueira samba school, which won the Rio Carnival title.

A Fluminense fan, he participated in football matches in support of important causes, such as the Fome Zero campaign, by sociologist Betinho, among others.

Due to his performance in music, lyrics and drama, Chico Buarque is today one of the most celebrated artists in Brazil.