Roberto Bettini, former ‘Dengue’ star, embraces family life over Xuxa tour

Roberto Bettini, 65, who played the beloved character Dengue on Brazil’s 1980s‑1990s children’s show “Xou da Xuxa,” now lives in Cabo Frio, Rio de Janeiro, with his wife, three children and a four‑year‑old grandson. He runs a show‑booking agency that he has operated for more than three decades, providing his main income.

Bettini says he has no desire to join Xuxa’s current “Último Voo da Nave” tour, noting he was not invited and feels no regret. “Hoje, o meu palco é a minha casa, e o meu espetáculo é cuidar da minha família,” he told the column Retratos da Vida. He adds that his choice to stay out of the spotlight is unrelated to politics or religion, describing himself as a Catholic who leans right but respects differing views. He is also working on an autobiography about his career.

The former actor recalls his years as Dengue from 1986 to 1992, a role that earned him a record, a disc, and fans in Brazil and Argentina, but he now prefers a quiet life of fishing, family, and business.