João Gilberto (João Gilberto Prado Pereira de Oliveira, Portuguese: ʒuˈɐ̃w ʒiwˈbɛʁtu; 1931 – 2019), was a Brazilian singer, songwriter and guitarist, a pioneer in the musical genre of bossa nova. He was born in Juazeiro, Bahia, on June 10, 1931, the son of a wealthy merchant. At the age of 14, Gilberto got his first guitar from his grandfather despite his father's objections. In 1942 he began studying in Salvador, Bahia, however after 3 years he abandoned his studies to devote himself exclusively to music; at the age of 18 he began his artistic career as a singer and guitarist in various bands.
His father, unable to understand how his son refused to be involved in the family's profitable business, managed in 1955 to lock him up for a week in a mental institution for examinations. In 1956 Gilberto went to Rio and met various artists of the Brazilian music industry, impressing many famous musicians with his style. In March 1959, he released the LP "Chega de Saudade", which was a huge success and had a significant impact on the history of Brazilian music. Since then he emerged as one of the greatest musicians and composers of his time in Brazil. His style combines traditional elements of samba with more modern jazz.
Gilberto was married twice and had 3 children. His last years were marked by financial problems as well as by the deterioration of his health, both physical and mental. In December 2017 his daughter sued for control of his financial affairs due to his declining mental state and mounting debt. On July 6, 2019, he died in his apartment in Rio de Janeiro.