Michelle Hunziker and more: Celebrities mourn for TV legend Pippo Baudo

The Italian showmaster Pippo Baudo (1936-2025) died on August 16 at the age of 89. He was considered the “king” of Italian television. Born in Sicilians, he has moderated numerous successful RAI programs and 13 editions of the popular Sanremo song festival since the 1960s. During his long career, he helped many artists to make a breakthrough, such as Laura Pausini, Eros Ramazzotti and Andrea Bocelli. Many prominent companions reacted to the news of his death.

Michelle Hunziker (48), for example, who often worked with Baudo, praised the deceased. She posted a broken heart and let you know: “You will be in my heart forever.” Her ex-husband Eros Ramazzotti (61): “You didn’t raise me at home, you brought me up on the stage of life. With your calming voice, with your careful look and your safe hand you were a guide, teacher and confidante.” He described the TV legend as the “father of the artistic soul”, who encouraged him and opened him doors.

Singer Laura Pausini (51) also shared. “I cannot believe that I am writing this message. There are men in this life and on earth who have left an indelible sign for their talent and genius. One of them has changed 32 years ago to the man who changed my life and chose me under the new voices of Sanremo 93 and has never left me since then, never.” Pippo Baudo became a member of her family and she feels a deep grief. At the same time, she thanked the deceased “for every time you smiled at me, that you gave me advice that you changed my life”. Fortunately, she was often able to tell him that she loved him so much.

Singer Gianna Nannini (71) from earlier days, however, shorter. She certified Pippo Baudo that he was “always a great show”. And moderator and singer Giovanni Zarrella (47) also recalled the legendary moderator from Italy. He posted a picture of the deceased and white Tauben-Emoji.

Pippo Baudo was born in Militello in Val di Catania in 1936. He started his television career in the mid-1960s and shaped the entertainment program of the RAI for decades. He presented success programs such as “Canzonissima”, “Domenica in” and “Fantastico”. For the 60th career anniversary, the RAI celebrated him in 2019 with the program “Buon Compleanno … Pippo”, where many colleagues like Michelle Hunziker congratulated him. In 2021 Baudo received the title “Cavaliere di Gran Croce” from the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.

He also attracted attention with his private life. From 1986 to 2004 he was married to the opera singer Katia Ricciarelli. At that time, the two were considered one of the most glamorous couples in the Italian show business. His two children come from two other relationships.

His death on Saturday, August 16, confirmed the sources close to the family and his long -time lawyer and close friend Giorgio Assumma to the ANSA news agency. Accordingly, Baudo died peacefully in the Campus Biomedico hospital in Rome with his loved ones.