URGENT: Anderson Leonardo, lead singer of Molejo, dies after battling rare cancer

Singer Anderson Leonardo, lead singer of Molejo, died this Friday (26), aged 51. The information was confirmed by the group’s official Instagram profile. Since October 2022, the artist has been fighting inguinal cancer, a rare type.

“Our warrior Anderson Leonardo fought bravely, but, unfortunately, was defeated by cancer. But he will always be remembered by all his family, friends and his immense legion of fans, for his genius, strength and love of the stage and Molejo. His presence and joy were a light that illuminated the lives of everyone around them, and they will be deeply missed and never forgotten,” wrote Molejo’s official Instagram profile.

Inguinal cancer affects the penis and anus and is generally characterized by the appearance of a lump in the groin. In recent years, Anderson has faced several hospitalizations. Since the end of March, he had been in the hospital due to his worsening illness.

On the 11th, Anderson returned to his room, but returned to the ICU last Monday (22nd), when a blood donation campaign for the pagodeiro began. Hours before his death, the medical team had already classified his health condition as very serious.

ANDERSON LEONARDO BECAME AN ICON OF THE PAGODE AND COLLECTED CONTROVERSY

Anderson was born in Rio de Janeiro, in August 1972. At just 16 years old, he founded the group Molejo in Méier, a neighborhood in Rio’s North Zone, with Andrezinho, Claumirzinho, Lúcio Nascimento, Robson Calazans and Jimmy Batera.

It was in 1993 that Molejo released their first album, an album of the same name, and it became a national craze. In the debut work, more than 100 thousand units were sold. The consecration came in 1997, with the release of the CD “Brincadeira de Criança”. In addition to the hit that gives the work its name, the album also features the hit “Dança da Vassoura”. More than 1.5 million copies were sold. Other legendary Molejo songs are “Cilada” and “Paparico”.

In his personal life, Anderson had some controversies. The most recent was in 2021, when the pagodeiro was accused of rape by singer and dancer MC Maylon. The case ended up in court. In 1999, he was accused by his ex-wife of assault. In the same year, a 19-year-old girl also filed a complaint for assault, alleging that she was punched when she refused to have sex without a condom.

Anderson leaves behind his wife, administrator Paula Cardoso, and four children, Leozinho Bradock, Alissa, Rafael Phelipe and Alice.