Silvio Santos on Figueiredo: "If it weren't for him, I'd be selling pens in Sé."
On this Sunday's program (27), presenter Sílvio Santos showed his appreciation for João Figueiredo, the last of the presidents of the military regime; according to Sílvio, if it weren't for him, the presenter would be selling pens in Praça da Sé; an exaggeration, since the presenter already had his TV channel, but it shows the importance that Sílvio gives to the concession granted by Figueiredo
247 - On more than one occasion, the presenter Silvio Santos has shown appreciation for former president João Batista Figueiredo, the last of the five leaders of the military regime (1979-1985). It was in 1981 that the businessman won the concession for part of Tupi's channels – including the one in São Paulo – causing TVS Rio to become SBT, as explained by... UOL TV columnist, Maurício Stycer.
This Sunday (27), amidst a joke about the names of Brazilian presidents, Silvio once again praised Figueiredo: “I am very grateful to him. If it weren’t for him, I would be selling pens in Praça da Sé”. The expression is exaggerated. Silvio already had a TV channel, he was very successful. But the phrase reveals how Silvio considers the “little push” given by the general as something fundamental in his business career.
Interestingly, this assistance was made possible by Dulce Figueiredo, the dictator's wife. The exhibition about Silvio at the Museum of Image and Sound (MIS) in São Paulo included a tribute to Dulce, but not to President Figueiredo.