The International Federation of Actors (FIA) and its member unions are deeply saddened by the passing of Ligia de Paula Souza, former President of SATED/SP – a union she led for many years – and Vice-President of FIA.
Ligia de Paula Souza started her involvement with SATED/SP, Sindicato dos Artistas e Técnicos em Espetáculos de Diversões de São Paulo (the union representing the interests of artists and technicians in the state of São Paulo, Brazil), back in 1975. Under her 30 year leadership, the union has grown and won important battles to preserve the livelihood and wellbeing of Brazilian performers.
Also a renowned film, television and theatre actress, Ligia de Paula Souza started working on radio and television when she was a child. As an adult, she performed on stage with some of the greatest Brazilian directors before embarking on a career in film. She went on to act in some 30 movies.
Naturally FIA members remember in particular Ligia’s impressive work and, especially, her warm welcome during FIA’s last Congress, hosted by her union in São Paulo in 2016. At that Congress, she was elected FIA Vice-President and joined our Presidium. Her vibrant personality and fierce commitment to equality and diversity in the arts and entertainment sector made her a unique ambassador among the FIA community. We deeply regret that her mandate within FIA should be so cruelly cut short.
Ligia was also a very active member of FIA-LA, the Latin-American group of FIA. As a strong believer in international and regional solidarity, she secured funding to host meetings for the group in Brazil on several occasions, and travelled in the region to offer strategic support to sister unions.
Ligia was a strong activist and leader, a unique artist and above all, a wonderful person and friend. Her spontaneous kindness and sincere affection will be sorely missed within our federation.
On behalf of our membership worldwide, our deepest sympathies go to her family and loved ones as well as to all our colleagues at SATED/SP.
