The art world and humanitarian community are mourning a significant loss. On May 23, 2025, Sebastião Salgado, the iconic Brazilian photojournalist, passed away at the age of 81. Known for his piercing black-and-white imagery and relentless dedication to global issues, Salgado’s work redefined photography not just as an art form—but as a call to consciousness.
His final moments were spent in Paris, surrounded by family. The cause was reported to be leukemia, a condition he had battled quietly. But even in his last days, Salgado remained concerned about the environment, injustice, and the future of indigenous people—consistent with a life dedicated to global empathy.
Sebastião Salgado’s Final Years and Artistic Impact
In his last public appearance just months ago, Sebastião Salgado reflected on his mission with striking clarity: “I never photographed pain to provoke pity—I photographed it to provoke action.”
Salgado’s later years were not a period of rest. He continued curating, mentoring, and pushing his final major series, Amazônia, which showcases the indigenous people and ecosystems of the Brazilian rainforest. This project spanned over six years of immersive travel and documentation, a personal and professional dedication to capturing what he called “Earth’s last cathedral.”
His photographs were recently on display in Brussels and Italy, with packed galleries and extended showings due to high demand. Amazônia stood out not just as visual art, but as a political statement. As the Amazon faced political threats, Salgado’s lens became a weapon of peace, truth, and preservation.
A Look Back: Sebastião Salgado’s Humanitarian Lens
Salgado’s journey from economics to global photography legend wasn’t typical. Born in 1944 in Aimorés, Brazil, he studied economics before turning to photography in the 1970s. His series like Workers, Exodus, and Genesis did not just document events—they told stories of survival, dignity, and resistance.
Key milestones in his journey:
- Workers (1993): A powerful visual history of manual labor across continents.
- Exodus (2000): The displacement and migration of people due to war, poverty, and environmental damage.
- Genesis (2013): A breathtaking series showing untouched corners of the planet.
What made Sebastião Salgado different was his ability to combine aesthetic beauty with stark reality. His photographs could bring tears, yet they always carried a sense of hope.
Sebastião Salgado and Instituto Terra: Healing the Planet
Few photographers have created legacies beyond the camera. Salgado did. Along with his wife, Lélia Wanick Salgado, he founded Instituto Terra in 1998, a reforestation and environmental restoration project in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest.
At the time of his death, Instituto Terra had restored over 2.7 million trees, creating not only green spaces but new wildlife habitats. Salgado didn’t just photograph nature; he revived it. His final message to his team was simple: “Continue planting. Life begins with a seed.”
Ongoing Tributes and Where to See His Work
Though Sebastião Salgado is gone, his voice continues through his exhibitions:
- “The World Through His Eyes” is currently extended due to overwhelming attendance in Santa Monica, CA.
- European audiences can still visit “Amazônia” in Brussels until late November.
- A new show titled “Glaciers,” composed of never-before-seen images, is scheduled for this summer in Trento, Italy.
Each of these exhibits presents more than images. They offer experience. A visual diary of a man who believed photography could change the course of history.
Sebastião Salgado’s Legacy: Not Just a Photographer, but a Witness
Sebastião Salgado didn’t want to be remembered for winning awards—though he won many. He wanted to be remembered for showing truth. In a digital world of filters and manipulation, his black-and-white work was refreshingly raw.
He once said, “The camera is not a machine. It is an extension of my conscience.” That belief made him different—and unforgettable.
His legacy now rests not just in galleries, but in minds, forests, and conversations sparked by his work.
Take the Next Step
Were you moved by Sebastião Salgado’s life or photography? Take a moment to reflect, share one of his images, or support a local reforestation project in his honor. Let his work inspire action—not just admiration.