Piero, iconic Latin American singer, dies at 81 in Buenos Aires

Piero Antonio Franco De Benedictis, the renowned Italo-Argentine singer-songwriter known as Piero, has died at the age of 81 in Buenos Aires. He passed away on October 7, 2024, after being hospitalized at the Hospital Italiano.

Piero was a central figure in Latin American music, particularly known for his protest songs and social commentary during the 1970s. His most iconic track, ‘Mi viejo’, released in 1969 in collaboration with poet José Tcherkaski, became an intergenerational classic with hundreds of covers worldwide. His career spanned over six decades and included more than 25 albums.

A private funeral service was held at the Recoleta Cemetery in Buenos Aires, attended by approximately 100 family members, friends, and public figures. During the ceremony, his children, Juan and Fiorella, performed ‘Mi viejo’ as a tribute.

Born in Italy in 1945, Piero moved to Argentina at age three. He later lived in exile in Spain during the Argentine military dictatorship before returning to the region. He also held Colombian citizenship and maintained strong ties to that country.