A Life Dedicated to Capturing the Beauty and Struggle of the Human Experience

Sebastião Salgado, a Brazilian photographer renowned for his powerful and evocative images of the world’s most pressing issues, has passed away at the age of 81. Throughout his illustrious career, Salgado traveled to over 130 countries, capturing the harsh realities of conflict, poverty, and environmental degradation, as well as the natural beauty of our planet.

Born in 1944 in Aimorés, Brazil, Salgado grew up in a family of modest means. His father was a farmer and a politician, and Salgado’s early life was marked by a deep connection to the natural world. He began his career as an economist, working for the United Nations Development Programme in Africa and later for the World Bank. However, it was not until 1973, at the age of 29, that Salgado turned to photography, drawn by its ability to capture the human experience in a way that words alone could not.

Salgado’s early work as a photographer was marked by a focus on the struggles of the working class, including miners, steelworkers, and migrant laborers. His photographs documented the harsh conditions and exploitation faced by these workers, and his work was instrumental in bringing attention to the plight of the working poor.

In the 1980s, Salgado began to focus on international assignments, working for major photography agencies and traveling to every corner of the globe. His photographs chronicled major global events, including the Rwanda genocide in 1994, the burning oilfields at the end of the Gulf War in 1991, and the famine in the Sahel region of Africa in 1984. His work was a testament to the transformative power of human action, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations of photographers and activists.

One of Salgado’s most notable projects was Amazônia, a seven-year journey through the Amazon rainforest, documenting the daily lives of the indigenous people who call this vast and fragile ecosystem home. The project culminated in an exhibition of over 200 black-and-white images, showcasing the region’s breathtaking landscapes and the resilience of its communities. The Amazônia exhibition was displayed at the Science Museum in London and the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester in 2021 and 2022, respectively.

Through his work with Instituto Terra, a environmental organization he co-founded with his wife Lélia, Salgado dedicated himself to restoring the Amazon rainforest, planting over three million trees and bringing new life to his family’s farm in Brazil. His commitment to environmental restoration was a testament to his profound love for humanity and the natural world.

Salgado’s awards and accolades are numerous and impressive. In 2024, he received the Sony World Photography Awards’ Outstanding Contribution to Photography, and he has also been recognized with the Prince of Asturias Award and the title of Unicef Goodwill Ambassador.

Throughout his career, Salgado’s photographs have been published in numerous books and exhibitions, including “Migrations,” “The Children,” and “Amazonia.” His work has been exhibited in museums and galleries around the world, and he has been the subject of several documentaries and films.

As Salgado himself once said, “I’m probably one of the photographers who’s created the most work in the history of photography.” His legacy will continue to inspire us to see the world with new eyes, and to strive for a more just and equitable future for all.

In a statement released by Instituto Terra, Salgado’s wife Lélia said, “Sebastião was much more than one of the greatest photographers of our time. Alongside his life partner, he sowed hope where there was devastation and brought to life the belief that environmental restoration is also a profound act of love for humanity.”