Sports journalist faced serious health condition due to a tumor in the pancreas
Journalist and presenter Léo Batista died this Sunday (19 January 2025) in Rio de Janeiro due to a tumor in the pancreas. He had been hospitalized in serious condition on January 15.
Born in Cordeirópolis (SP) on July 22, 1932, João “Léo” Baptista Belinaso Neto began his professional career on radio, but stood out on television, working in general news and sports coverage.
His first job on television was when he joined TV Rio in 1955. He joined the staff of Rede Globo in 1970, becoming one of the station’s longest-serving collaborators.
Batista became known for his participation in 13 editions of the Olympic Games and 13 World Cups, in addition to being the presenter of programs such as Newspaper Today, Globo Esporte e Spectacular Sport.
Léo Batista was married to Leyla Chavantes Belinaso, who died in 2022. He was the father of Monica Batista.
In June 2024, he won the documentary “Léo Batista, The Remarkable Voice”which premiered on SportTV. The production spans from the beginning of his career to when the presenter became a reference in national sports coverage. The narrative reveals personal aspects of Batista’s life, such as his passion for Rio de Janeiro Carnival and Botafogo.
