[Medianext.MX]

Big shock on Brazilian TV news yesterday. Glória Maria, the first Black TV journalist in Brazil, has died aged 73 due to lung cancer. She was on leave since last September to resume treatment.

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Glória worked for its entire career at TV Globo, where she made history in a number of additional firsts: first live TV cross in colour, first Black anchor of RJTV, first Black anchor of Jornal Hoje, first Black anchor of Sunday newsmagazine Fantástico and first Black presenter of Globo Repórter. She also became known for interviewing the likes of Michael Jackson, Freddie Mercury, Madonna and many other celebrities.

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Her importance to Globo's and Brazilian TV history led to Globo cancelling last night's telenovela schedule in favour of tribute specials:

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As the news went on air during the morning lineup, most of Globo's live shows were dedicated to Glória Maria's career, concluding in a very emotional send-off by William Bonner and Renata Vasconcellos during last night's Jornal Nacional, including many current and past Globo news personalities joining in:

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