Prominent Brazilian actress Laura Cardoso has died at the age of 98 at her home in Sao Paulo, her family confirmed on Tuesday.
Her death from natural causes was announced by her family on the artist's official Instagram page, drawing widespread mourning across Brazil and Portugal, where she was also widely celebrated.
Cardoso enjoyed an extraordinary career that spanned more than eight decades across television, theater, cinema, and radio in Brazil.
Early life and humble origins
Born and raised in a tenement building in the working-class Bexiga neighborhood of Sao Paulo, Cardoso was the daughter of Portuguese immigrants who had previously worked as farmers in the Trás-os-Montes region of northern Portugal.
She discovered her passion for reading at an early age. During her childhood at a convent school run by nuns, classmates frequently asked her to recite literature, an experience that kindled her lifelong dedication to the performing arts.
Bexiga, a historic district in central Sao Paulo long associated with immigrant culture and classic theatrical venues, provided the backdrop for her earliest artistic ambitions.
Decades on television and iconic roles
Over the course of her extensive career, Cardoso appeared in more than 100 productions, including over 60 telenovelas. She became a constant presence in some of Brazilian television's most memorable broadcasts.
Among her most celebrated screen roles were Isaura in the popular drama Mulheres de Areia and Guiomar in A Viagem. Her extensive television credits also included major series such as Gabriela, Caminho das Índias, and her final soap opera appearance in 2019, A Dona do Pedaço.
TV Globo, Brazil's dominant television network, served as the primary platform for many of her leading roles, broadcasting her performances to millions of viewers nationwide and abroad.
Film career and prestigious honors
Cardoso's artistic achievements extended far beyond television screens. She built a substantial career in cinema and theater, performing in more than 30 motion pictures during her lifetime.
Her work earned her some of the highest accolades in Brazilian cultural history, including the Grande Otelo award, presented by the Academy of Brazilian Cinema, and the prestigious Shell Award for theater.
In 2006, the Brazilian government awarded her the Order of Cultural Merit in recognition of her distinguished contribution to the nation's culture.
Final projects and national tributes
Even in her late nineties, Cardoso remained active in the performing arts. In 2025, at the age of 97, she attended the premiere of the short film Dona Rosinha, which marked one of her final public and professional appearances.
That same year, she was honored with a star on the walk of fame at Estúdios Globo, celebrating a career that bridged multiple generations of television history.
Following the announcement of her death, fellow performers and friends paid tribute to her lasting impact. Fellow actor Tony Ramos, who worked alongside her for more than six decades, emotionally described her as the queen of television, while colleagues remembered her discipline, generosity, and unwavering passion for her craft.
