The greatest television villain, the actress suffered during the dictatorship, broke with the PT and criticized the militarists

When ‘Vale Tudo’ premiered in May 1988 on Globo, Beatriz Segall had a well-established career. But it was at the age of 62 that she played her most popular character, considered the mother of all villains: Odete de Almeida Roitman.

The murder of the businesswoman in the episode broadcast on Christmas Eve stopped Brazil in its tracks. Never before or since has there been such an impactful “who killed?” in teledrama. To celebrate its 60th anniversary, the broadcaster will premiere a remake in 2025. Fernanda Torres is said to be taking on the iconic role.

Born into a middle-class family, Beatriz was a French teacher before studying theater and literature in Paris. There she met Maurício Segall, son of the painter Lasar Segall. They married and had three children. Together they rented the Teatro São Pedro, in the capital of São Paulo.

During the dictatorship, intellectuals who were militant against the authoritarian regime were arrested, tortured and condemned. Beatriz found herself alone with the children and under constant oppression. It took months of hardship until her husband was released.

In the early 1980s, the couple supported the Workers’ Party led by then-trade unionist Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. In the following decade, they separated amicably. The actress was disappointed by the left-wing caption.

In 2002, she recorded a statement for the electoral program of José Serra, PSDB presidential candidate. She reacted in solidarity with Regina Duarte when her colleague was harassed for saying she was “afraid” of a possible rise to power of the PT.

“I’m also afraid of not being able to say that I’m afraid, of being threatened with a lawsuit for disagreeing,” Beatriz said, according to ‘Folha de S. Paulo’. “I want a democracy without pressure, where I can say what I want.” Lula won the elections.

Years earlier, in an interview with Bruna Lombardi on the program ‘Gente de Expressão’, the artist had expressed anger towards those who called for a new military intervention in the country.

“I am also horrified when I see letters in the newspapers saying that a strong regime, a military regime, is needed. Don’t people have memories?” he asked.

“You couldn’t open your mouth, your life was in danger. Many people died in this country. Everyone was afraid… How can you think (of asking for the return of the dictatorship)? For me it is first of all a great demonstration of ignorance”.

Beatriz Segall died in September 2018, at the age of 92, due to respiratory problems. At that time, ‘Vale Tudo’ was playing on the Viva channel. There will never be another Odete Roitman as phenomenal. The actress holds a special place in the memory of anyone who loves television.

Source: Terra