Renowned Brazilian photographer Sebastião Salgado, known for his powerful black-and-white images capturing social and environmental issues, has passed away at 81.
Paris, May 23, 2025 — Sebastião Salgado, the renowned Brazilian photographer known for his striking black-and-white visuals that shed light on social inequality and environmental issues, has passed away at 81.
Salgado’s passing was officially announced by Instituto Terra, the environmental foundation he established alongside his wife, Lélia Wanick Salgado. He succumbed to leukemia, a condition linked to a malaria infection he contracted in 2010 during his work on the “Genesis” project in Indonesia.
A Journey from Economics to Photography
Born in Aimorés, Minas Gerais, Brazil, in 1944, Salgado initially pursued a career in economics. However, his passion for visual storytelling led him to photography in the 1970s after relocating to Paris. Over the next five decades, he traveled to over 130 countries, documenting the human condition and the planet’s diverse landscapes.
Iconic Works and Global Recognition
Salgado’s notable projects include “Workers,” “Exodus,” “Genesis,” and “Amazônia.” His photograph of gold miners at Serra Pelada and his extensive documentation of the Amazon rainforest and its indigenous communities brought global attention to pressing social and environmental issues.
His photography garnered widespread recognition, earning prestigious honors such as the W. Eugene Smith Memorial Fund Grant and the Centenary Medal from the Royal Photographic Society. In 2016, he was inducted into the French Academy of Fine Arts.
Environmental Advocacy Through Instituto Terra
Beyond photography, Salgado was a committed environmentalist. In 1998, he and his wife established Instituto Terra, a nonprofit dedicated to reforesting Brazil’s Atlantic Forest. The organization has successfully planted over 3 million trees, restoring more than 2,000 hectares of degraded land.
Legacy and Tributes
Salgado’s significant contributions to both photography and environmental advocacy have been acknowledged across the globe. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva honored his legacy, describing him as “one of the greatest photographers the world has ever known.”
He is survived by his wife, Lélia, and their two sons. Salgado’s enduring legacy lives on through his impactful photography and the continued environmental efforts of Instituto Terra.
