Brazilian photojournalist and environmentalist Sebastião Salgado passed away at the age of 81 in Paris on Friday, May 23. His death was confirmed by his reforestation nonprofit Instituto Terra, which he co-founded with his wife Lélia Wanick Salgado. Sebastião Salgado was renowned for his powerful black and white photographs that highlighted the stark inequalities of humanity, captured the beauty of natural landscapes, and shed light on Indigenous communities in the Amazon rainforest.
Born in 1944 in Aimorés, Brazil, Salgado initially pursued a career in economics, obtaining degrees from the Federal University of Espírito Santo and the University of São Paulo. However, his passion for photography led him to shift his focus to capturing the world around him. After moving to Paris in 1969 with Lélia due to political reasons, Salgado earned a PhD in economics and began his journey as a freelance photographer, working with various photo agencies and traveling extensively across Africa, Europe, and Latin America.
In 1979, Salgado joined Magnum Photos, where he spent 15 years documenting stories from around the world. During his time at Magnum, he published two notable photo books: “Otras Americas” (1986), focusing on Indigenous peoples and landscapes in Central and South America, and “Sahel: L’Homme en Detresse” (1986), a collaboration with Doctors Without Borders highlighting the challenges faced by nations in Africa’s Sahel region.
One of Salgado’s most impactful projects was “Workers” (1993), which explored the harsh realities of industrial and manual labor across 23 countries. This was followed by “Terra” (1997), which brought attention to Brazil’s rural landless population, and “Éxodos” (2000), which delved into the global issue of human migration.
In 1994, Salgado co-founded the photo agency Amazonas with Lélia and later established Instituto Terra, a nonprofit organization dedicated to reforestation efforts and sustainable rural development in Brazil. Over the years, the institute has planted millions of trees and made significant contributions to environmental conservation.
Salgado’s extensive body of work also includes “Genesis” (2013), which celebrates the resilience of nature against industrialization, and “Amazônia” (2021), a deep dive into the biodiversity of the Amazon rainforest and the Indigenous communities that call it home. His exhibitions have been showcased at prestigious institutions worldwide, solidifying his legacy as a visionary photographer.
Sebastião Salgado leaves behind his wife Lélia, their two sons, and grandchildren. A solo exhibition of his work is currently on display at the Peter Fetterman Gallery in California. The world has lost a true artist and advocate for social and environmental justice, but his impactful legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.
