Valentina Schmidt, the daughter of Brazilian television presenter Tadeu Schmidt, has shared an emotional tribute to her father following the death of her uncle, basketball legend Oscar Schmidt.
In a social media post, Valentina referred to her father as her “hero” and wrote: “They say we shouldn’t meet our heroes. I met mine the day I was born. You are giant, Papi.” The message accompanied a childhood photo of her sitting on Tadeu’s lap.
The tribute comes just days after Oscar Schmidt, Tadeu’s older brother and Valentina’s uncle, passed away on Friday, April 17, 2026, at the age of 68. Oscar died after suffering a cardiorespiratory arrest and was taken to the Municipal Hospital Santa Ana, where he did not survive.
Valentina had previously expressed her gratitude to the public for their support during this difficult time. In an Instagram Story on Sunday, April 19, she thanked fans for their kindness, particularly toward her father. “Hi everyone, I’m stopping by to thank you all for the affection you’ve shown, especially to my dad, regarding the death of my uncle Oscar,” she said. “The tributes were very beautiful, very beautiful indeed.”
Oscar Schmidt, widely known as “Mão Santa” (Holy Hand), is regarded as one of the greatest basketball players in history. He had a storied career that included playing professionally in Brazil and internationally, representing the Brazilian national team, and later working as a sports commentator.
Tadeu Schmidt, who hosts Brazil’s Big Brother Brasil, paid his own tribute to his brother during the April 18 episode of the indicate. He opened the broadcast with a heartfelt speech dedicated to Oscar, saying he would do everything possible to continue hosting the program in his brother’s memory. Tadeu dedicated that Friday’s episode to Oscar, stating: “Today is a very important day and I am here for the game and so that I wouldn’t be here. Oscar would be very angry with me if I didn’t come to work. So I am here.” He concluded by saying, “In honor of you, my brother!”
The Schmidt family has been open about their grief, sharing memories and moments together on social media. Valentina had also reposted a report from Fantástico’s Show da Vida on Sunday, which honored Oscar’s legacy. In that report, Tadeu described his brother as “invincible.”
Oscar Schmidt’s passing has prompted an outpouring of tributes from across the sports world, recognizing his immense contributions to basketball both in Brazil, and globally. His daughter Claudia had previously shared details about his final months, noting that he had been undergoing treatment for brain cancer for 15 years before his death.
As the family continues to mourn, Valentina’s words serve as a poignant reminder of the personal bonds behind the public figures. Her declaration that her father is her “giant” hero reflects the deep family connection that has been evident throughout their shared grief.
The Schmidt family has not announced any further public statements or events related to Oscar Schmidt’s passing at this time. Fans and followers continue to share messages of support through social media platforms.
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