Silvio Santos

About

Brazilian celebrity television personality and businessman best known as the head of a more than six billion-dollar TV network holding company called the Grupo Silvio Santos. He has produced thousands of episodes of television throughout his long career. 

Before Fame

During his teenage years, he worked as a street vendor in Rio de Janeiro. 

Trivia

He ran unsuccessfully in 1989 for the Brazilian presidency. He has been credited with spreading the experience of game shows to Brazil. 

Family Life

He married Iris Abravanel in 1978, and he has a total of six daughters, including TV host Rebeca Abravanel. He was raised in a Jewish family in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 

Associated With

He and Virgin Group founder Richard Branson both had highly lucrative careers as entrepreneurs.