Arlindo Cruz's family defines the samba singer's legacy as 'synonymous with struggle, work and love'

The family of samba singer Arlindo Cruz , who died last Friday (8), in Rio de Janeiro, tried to translate into words the legacy left by the artist. “A human being above the curve”, “the best father in the world” and “synonymous with work, struggle and love” were some of the tributes made by Babi, Flora and Arlindinho Cruz, respectively. The revelations were shown during a report on Fantástico , on TV Globo, this Sunday, 10.

Dressed in white and holding hands, Babi and her children, Flora and Arlindinho, spoke with reporters. The samba singer's partner recalled how she met the artist and expressed her gratitude for the time she shared with him. "A human being above the curve. I'm always grateful for the four decades we shared. A guy who taught me to live my ancestry," Babi explained.

For Arlindinho, his father's legacy lies in his teachings and struggle. "A lesson every day. Synonymous with work, struggle, love, love for samba, love for his children, love for life—he always loved deeply," he began.

"He was the best father in the world and way ahead of his time, a great friend of mine. He prepared us to face the world, the situations in the world, the adversities. He was our best lap. Today we lose the best lap in the whole world," said Flora.

Farewell

The body of singer Arlindo Cruz was transported in a Fire Department truck in a procession to the Jardim da Saudade Cemetery, in Sulacap, in the West Zone of Rio, where he was buried this Sunday, 10th. The farewell ceremony was marked by strong emotion and the presence of several artists who paid their last respects to the master of samba.

The samba singer, who had a farewell ceremony in true gurufim style—with a special samba circle filled with emotion, celebration, and reverence, exactly as he wanted—was honored by fans and artists in a wake that lasted 16 hours. The ceremony brought together family, admirers, and friends, including Diogo Nogueira and Hélio de la Peña.

Records show that the singer's wife, Babi Cruz, was deeply moved and supported by friends. Arlindinho also arrived at the cemetery to pay his last respects to his father and told the press that the farewell ceremony was exactly as the singer requested, with "a full court, free beer, and a barbecue."

"A legacy of struggle, work, and love for samba. My father was always a warrior, a hard worker, and a family man. That's the legacy he leaves behind. I prefer to remember him through our work and our shows. Even so, this is an extremely significant moment, a moment of transition, a pause from eight years of suffering," he said.