Who is the mother of Preta Gil, who has inspired music and appeared with Gilberto Gil at her daughter's wake?

The moving presence of Sandra Gadelha , Preta Gil 's mother, at her daughter's wake brought to light the story of a woman who was essential in Gilberto Gil 's life and in the emotional memory of Brazilian popular music. At 77, Sandra was seen alongside her ex-husband at the Municipal Theater in Rio de Janeiro on Friday, the 25th, during the farewell ceremony for her daughter, who died at the age of 50 on Sunday, the 20th.

The woman behind "Drão"

Gilberto Gil's ex-wife, Sandra Gadelha, was married to the singer between 1969 and 1980. The relationship resulted in the birth of three children: Pedro Gil, who died in a car accident at the age of 20, Preta Gil and Maria Gil, who now works alongside her father in show production.

It was during this period, in London, that the couple's firstborn, Pedro, was born. The family returned to Brazil in 1972, and Preta and Maria were born the following years.

Sandra maintained a discreet posture throughout her life, even with her family's prominence, preferring privacy to prominence.

Music marked Preta's last performance

Preta Gil's last public performance took place about three months ago, alongside her father, Gilberto Gil, at Allianz Parque. On that occasion, she performed the song dedicated to her mother, moving the audience and bringing Gil to tears on stage.

In his last show, Gilberto Gil dedicated the song 'Drão' to his daughter Preta Gil, a classic of Brazilian music #Fantástico pic.twitter.com/tWmbxaR01h

— TV Globo (@tvglobo) July 21, 2025

Wake and cremation

Preta Gil's cremation ceremony concluded around 5 p.m. on Friday the 25th at the Penitência Cemetery and Crematorium in Caju, Rio's Port Zone. Preta requested cremation from her family.

Her body was taken to the cemetery in a procession in a fire department vehicle and passed through the so-called Rua Preta Gil Carnival Circuit. Upon arrival, according to Quem magazine, a violinist was playing Drão.