‘Beautiful’ actor remembered by husband after losing battle with COVID-19: ‘I hope I can pass on your legacy of love’
Brazilian actor and comedian Paulo Gustavo (R) died on 4 May 2021 after battling COVID-19. He is survived by his husband, Thales Bretas (L), and two children, Gael and Romeu. (Instagram/@paulogustavo31)
Brazilian actor and comedian Paulo Gustavo has tragically passed away after a two-month battle with COVID-19, leaving behind his loving husband and two children.
Gustavo, 42, was hospitalised at Copa Star Hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on 13 March after contracting COVID-19. The Brazilian Report said Gustavo required intubation a week after he was admitted, and he contracted air embolisms in his lungs over this last weekend. His condition worsened, and he died on Tuesday (4 May) evening.
Gustavo was born and raised in Niteroi in greater Rio de Janeiro, and he has been out since he was young. He married his dermatologist, Thales Bretas, in December 2015. The couple announced the birth of their children, Romeu and Gael, via surrogacy in August 2019.
Betas shared an emotional tribute on his Instagram about the loss of his husband and how much Gustavo had affected his life. He admitted it was “very difficult to process everything that has happened in the last few days” and described Paulo Gustavo as a “beautiful” and “happy” person.
“How happy I have been in the past seven years because I had the privilege of living with you,” Betas wrote.
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“I hope I can pass on a little of your legacy of generosity, affection, joy and love,” Betas said. “You are a hurricane! A star that shone a lot here on Earth and will shine even more in the sky always looking out for our family!!!”
Paulo Gustavo became widely known for his monologue Minha Mãe é uma Peça (My Mom is a Character) which became a feature film in 2013. The movie was so popular that it was followed by two sequels in 2016 and 2019.
The Brazilian Report said the third movie sold BRL 143.8 million at the box office, which was higher than what both Frozen 2 and Star Wars: The Rise of the Skywalker grossed in Brazil.
