The vibrant world of Brazilian music has lost one of its shining stars. Vanessa Rios, a beloved singer known for her powerful voice and dynamic stage presence, has passed away at the age of 42 after a long and public battle with a rare form of lung cancer. Her death was confirmed on October 25, leaving fans across Brazil and beyond in a state of mourning for the artist whose career spanned over 15 years.
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Rios first captured national attention in 2014 when she won a televised competition to become the new lead singer of the popular band Kitara. This role catapulted her to fame, establishing her as a formidable talent in the genres of brega and forró. She later performed with other well-known groups like Forró do Muído and Capim com Mel, earning a reputation for her ability to connect deeply with audiences. Fans often noted that her voice carried a unique blend of joy and pain, making every performance a memorable experience.
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Her final months were a testament to her unwavering spirit. Despite her diagnosis of pulmonary synovial sarcoma in 2023, an aggressive cancer she fought after previously overcoming a sarcoma in her leg in 2019, Rios continued to perform. Her last concert in Brazil was in April, and she took the stage one final time in Florida, USA, in June 2025. She had been living in the United States with her American husband, Joe Ridenhour, where she was working to expand her international career while continuing her treatment.
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Vanessa Rios is survived by her 16-year-old daughter, Larissa, whom she often referred to as her greatest blessing. In a heartfelt tribute, her daughter expressed both her profound grief and relief that her mother’s suffering had ended. The singer’s final Instagram post, which emphasized the importance of family, has since been flooded with messages from heartbroken fans and fellow artists, all paying tribute to a woman whose light and music will undoubtedly live on.
