Rádio Liberdade founder Geraldo da Silva Santos dies at 100

Geraldo da Silva Santos, known as “Seu Lapinha”, died on 1 August 2026 at the age of 100. He founded Rádio Liberdade FM 92.9 in Betim, Minas Gerais, turning a small business promotion into one of the region’s leading sertanejo‑music stations. Santos also created the furniture company Móveis São Geraldo, the cachaça brand Lapinga, and helped launch other local stations such as Fã FM and Classic Pan.

His funeral was held on the same day in Betim’s Cemitério Nossa Senhora do Carmo, with burial following shortly after. He is survived by eight children, 17 grandchildren, 13 great‑grandchildren and a great‑great‑grandchild. The station paid tribute on air, highlighting his vision for communication and his lasting influence on Brazil’s country‑music culture.