Argentine television host Marcela Tinayre posted an emotional tribute to musician Piero after his death in Buenos Aires. She called him an artist whose songs reached generations and sent her support to his family.
Piero Antonio Franco De Benedictis died on the morning of Oct. 7 at age 81. The singer had been in the Italian Hospital for several days, sources close to him told LA NACION.
Tinayre wrote that Piero was a man of rare sensitivity and a true gentleman. She singled out Ámbar De Benedictis, the musician’s granddaughter and the daughter of Juan De Benedictis and television host Juana Viale. Through Ámbar, Piero remained close to the Legrand-Tinayre family.
Piero had four children. His son Juan followed him into music and acting, played in his band and performed alongside him. In 2023, when Piero was hospitalised in Ecuador with a respiratory infection, Juan offered support in a short social media post: “Stay strong, daddy.”
Piero’s second wife, Mariana Schettini, often shared family photographs from outings to theatres, concerts and art exhibitions. Their daughter Fiorella also became a musician. In 2025, she said her father had taught her to approach life with tenderness and recalled how, after years of protest songs and exile, he began speaking openly about peace and love.
Piero was born in Italy in 1945 and moved to Argentina as a child. His songs about peace, freedom and public life became part of Argentine popular culture. In her tribute, Tinayre called him an artist whose work would continue to connect generations.