Despite the legacy contained in Brazilian television fiction, the writer left this world frustrated for not being able to get new projects and for having seen his last soap opera rejected by the network where he had shone.
Gilberto Bragaimportant name in the history of Brazilian soap operas, died on October 26, 2021, at the age of 75. Admitted to the Copa Star hospital in Rio de Janeiro, he died due to a systemic infection caused by a perforation of the esophagus. His departure not only left a void in national drama, but also revealed a little-known aspect of his final years: the frustration and sadness he faced at the rejection by TV Globo, the broadcaster with which he built almost his entire career.
Over the decades, Braga has established himself as one of the most respected authors in the field of television fiction, writing seminal works such as Dancing days (1978), Living water (1980), Mix (1984) and, of course, the iconic Everything is fine (1988), written in collaboration with Aguinaldo Silva and Leonor Bassères. The latter, in fact, established itself as an absolute television classic, a symbol of social criticism and public success, with memorable characters such as the villain Odete Roitman, immortalized by Beatriz Segall.
But not even a CV full of successes saved him from the emotional exhaustion caused by the last years of his professional career. The failure of Babylonshown in 2015, it was a watershed moment. The soap opera, which divided opinions and had little impact on the public, had a negative impact on the author. According to people close to him, the failure of the plot had a profound impact on his creative self-esteem.
João Ximenes Bragaalso a screenwriter and collaborator of Gilberto, he revealed an emotional and revealing statement from the author in an interview:
“I dare not say that he anticipated his death, but that day he told me… that he did not want to end his career in failure and wanted to return to work soon to regain his prestige. […] But for him it was important to overcome that failure.”
Even if shaken, Gilberto does not stop producing. In the following years he presented three different projects to Globo, with the hope of regaining his prominent place in prime time. The first was a miniseries on the life of the singer Elis Regina, whose proposal, although full of potential, ended up not being approved. The second was a modern adaptation of the novel Light (1981), designed for the 11pm time slot. And the third, Vanity Fairwas inspired by the English novel Vanity Fairby William Makepeace Thackeray. None of them received the green light.
With his health increasingly fragile and his spirit shaken, Braga began to withdraw into himself. The rejection by the station that had been his home for so long was a severe blow. He felt he still had a lot to offer Brazilian television, but he didn’t have the chance to redeem himself Babylonwhich he himself considered an anomaly in his path.
The pain, according to close sources, was not just due to vanity or pride, but to the love of the profession and the genuine desire to continue creating. He resented not having been given a new opportunity to showcase his talent, in an environment he knew like few others.
After his death, Globo authorized a remake of Everything is fineaired in 2025, as a way to celebrate his legacy. Despite the homage, the production was unable to erase the feeling of frustration that the author carried with him. His final wish – to end his career with a relevant and recognized job – never came true.
Gilberto Braga was a master of social criticism, refined irony and a careful look at Brazil. He left behind a vast, influential and necessary body of work. But, unfortunately, he left without the final recognition he sought.
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Source: Terra
Ashley Fitzgerald is a journalist and author at Gossipify, known for her coverage of famous people and their lives. She writes about a wide range of topics, including celebrities, influencers, social media stars, and public figures. Her articles are known for their in-depth analysis and unique perspective. She is respected for her ability to keep readers up to date with the latest news and trends of the famous people.
