David Miranda, a Brazilian congressman and the husband of journalist Glenn Greenwald, has handed away on the age of 37 after a nine-month-long battle within the ICU after a gastrointestinal an infection.
Mr Greenwald, 56, took to Twitter to write down a tribute to his husband.
Shortly after 8am on Tuesday 9 May, Mr Greenwald wrote: “It is with the most profound sadness that I announce the passing away of my husband, @DavidMirandaRio. He would have turned 38 tomorrow. His death, early this morning, came after a 9-month battle in ICU. He died in full peace, surrounded by our children and family and friends.”
Miranda was lauded by Brazilian politicians, celebrities, activists, with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva tweeting: “My condolences to @ggreenwald and family for the loss of David Miranda. A young man with an extraordinary trajectory who left too soon.”
Miranda, who served within the Brazilian congress between 2019 and 2022, was a powerful member of the resistance to the far-right administration of President Jair Bolsonaro, in accordance with The Guardian.
Renata Souza, a legislator on the left, tweeted about her “immense sorrow at the departure of my dear friend David Miranda. A funny, loving, party-loving guy who never gave up fighting for life and for the people of the favela”.
Mr Greenwald added that his husband’s life had been “extraordinary in all ways,” noting that Miranda misplaced his mom at age 5, “leaving him an orphan in Jacarezinho”.
“A beautiful and compassionate neighbor” known as Dona Eliane took care of Miranda regardless of having 4 of her personal kids and being in “deep poverty,” Mr Greenwald stated.
The neighbour grew to become Miranda’s mom and “gave him a chance for a life”.
“That gave David the chance to live his full potential in a society that often suffocates it. He was key to the Snowden story, became the first gay man elected to Rio’s City Council, then federal Congress at 32. He inspired so many with his biography, passion, and force of life,” Mr Greenwald wrote within the Twitter thread.
The journalist stated there was “nobody with a stronger will or life force”.
Being a father was Miranda’s “biggest dream” and it gave him “the greatest pride and purpose,” in accordance with Mr Greenwald. “He was the most dedicated and loving parent. He taught me how to be a father. And our truly exceptional boys – with their own difficult start to [life] – is his greatest legacy.”
Mr Greenwald stated he was advised on 6 August, the day Miranda was hopitalised, that he was unlikely to stay via that week.
“I heard the same 3 times since,” Mr Greenwald wrote. “He refused, in classic David style. The last 4 months gave our family the most beautiful moments together.”
The husband stated Miranda was “the strongest, most passionate, most compassionate man I’ve known. Nobody had a bad word for him”.
“I can’t describe the loss and pain. I’ll do my best to honor his legacy: our children and our NGOs. And I know so many will celebrate him and his impact,” he concluded.
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