UNESCO mourns loss of art patron and Goodwill Ambassador Lily Marinho
Ms. Marinho, 89, was the widow of Brazilian press magnate and founder of the Globo group, Roberto Marinho, and had been nominated as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for peace and non-violence in 1999.
“Lily Marinho was deeply committed to education and culture, working to bring closer together people of all ages, nationalities and social backgrounds,” said UNESCO chief Irina Bokova.
“Our Organization has lost a long-standing ally and a very close friend,” she added.
Ms. Marinho always defended the rights of street children and offered financial support to provide those in the greatest need with somewhere to live, with medical care, food and schooling, according to a news release issued by UNESCO.
An art-lover, she also provided financial support for many art exhibitions and theatre productions, the agency added, noting that it was thanks to her that several major exhibitions in Brazil were made possible, including those of Rodin, Picasso, Camille Claudel and Monet.