António Joaquim Fernandes (27 November 1951 – 15 September 2019), known as Roberto Leal, was a
Portuguese singer, songwriter and actor. He sold more than 15 million albums, and received 30 golden records and 5 platinum records.[1]
Roberto Leal wrote and produced most of his songs.[citation needed] Some of Leal's best known songs are: Bate o Pé, Clareou, O Vinho de Meu Amor, and Marrabenta. In 2007 and 2010 he released albums in both
Portuguese and
Mirandese.[3][4] Leal had a dynamic vocal range and was a great dancer.[citation needed]
Leal had a wife Márcia Lúcia and three children.[6]
Illness and death
In January 2019, Leal stated he had been fighting cancer for the past two years and had lost part of his sight due to two
cataracts.[7]
Roberto Leal died at age 67 on 15 September 2019 of kidney failure, following complications from an allergic reaction during his fight against cancer. He had been in hospital for five days in the semi-intensive unit of the Samaritano Hospital de São Paulo.[8]