04 / 10
Argentine singer Piero dies at 81
Piero, whose song “Mi viejo” became a Latin American standard, has died aged 81.
What happened
Argentine singer-songwriter Piero, born Piero Antonio Franco De Benedictis in Italy, died in Buenos Aires on 7 October aged 81. His family confirmed the death. Known across Latin America for “Mi viejo,” he combined romantic songs with social and protest music during a career spanning more than half a century.
Numbers
- 81 yearsPiero’s age at death — Family confirmed his death
- More than 500Recorded versions of “Mi viejo” — According to Fundación Konex
- More than 25Albums in his recorded catalogue — Across his career
Questions
- Which song made him widely known?
- “Mi viejo,” released in 1969, became an intergenerational standard and was recorded in more than 500 versions, according to Fundación Konex.
- Why did his work reach beyond Argentina?
- He combined love songs with social and protest music, and built a long connection with Colombia, where he gained citizenship in 1996.
- What disrupted his career in the 1970s?
- He went into exile in Spain in 1976, before later returning to a career of recordings, performances and peace initiatives.
- What honours did he receive?
- The Latin Recording Academy placed “Mi viejo” in its Hall of Fame in 2007 and gave Piero its Musical Excellence award in 2016.
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The catch
Coverage confirms his death but gives no official cause or details of his final medical treatment.
No cause has been announced.