Argentine singer Piero De Benedictis, known for his socially conscious folk music, protest songs, and timeless ballads across Latin America, died at age 81 on October 7, 2026, in Buenos Aires.He was reported to have been hospitalized with pneumonia, following a period of declining health. His death was announced through an official statement shared in media reports. According to a report in Billboard, his family shared about his passing with “deep sorrow” and noted that “his voice, his songs and his message of peace remain with us forever. His light will continue to shine in every corner where his music reaches.”Piero De Benedictis visits SiriusXM - June 15, 2017 - Source: GettyThe Italian-born artist behind the breakout hit Mi Viejo was married twice. He was married to María Laura Lampreabe (his first wife) and later to Mariana Schettini. He welcomed four children across his two marriages: Mariano, Juan de Benedictis, Giuliano and Fiorella.Continue reading for more details.All you need to know about Argentine singer Piero De Benedictis’s familyArgentine singer Piero De Benedictis’s second wife, Mariana Schettini, dedicated an emotional tribute to him, following his death.She took to Instagram, sharing an old photograph with her husband, and wrote a post in her native language, Spanish. The translation read:“Thank you for being part of my life. Thank you for so much love. Thank you for wonderful children that will always be your presence in my life. Thank you, I love you and I will always love you.”Schettini is an Argentine artist. The couple crossed paths in the 1990s. Following his return from exile and the restoration of democracy in Argentina, the Pedro Nadie crooner entered a new stage of maturity. During this stage, he fell in love with Schettini, and they married after several years of relationship. However, the exact date of their marriage has not been confirmed in the reports. View this post on Instagram Instagram PostPiero and Schettini built their family home in San Telmo, one of the most bohemian neighborhoods in Buenos Aires, Argentina. In 2002, they welcomed their first child, Giuliano, and a year later, Fiorella was born.The musician was also a father to kids from his first marriage to María Laura Lampreabe. They had two sons; the elder son, Mariano, passed away 40 days after birth. They were blessed with another child in 1975 and named him Juan de Benedictis. He grew up to be a musician and actor. Fiorella, the youngest of the late singer's kids, is also set to follow in her father’s footsteps in music.Because much of the Latin American artist's children’s lives were kept private, there are hardly any details about his other kids besides Juan, who was in a relationship with Juana Viale, with whom he had a daughter, Ámbar de Benedictis. Juan later had Jazmín and Amapola with singer and teacher María Rosa.Piero shared a special bond with his grandchildren, especially with his eldest granddaughter, Ámbar de Benedictis, born in March 2003. Music was the thread that connected them. In a 2018 interview, Piero specifically recalled that Ámbar (then about 15) had developed a special connection with his album Sinfonía inconclusa en la mar, one of the most remembered works of the singer’s career.The warmth of their relationship continued into later years. In April 2025, when Piero turned 80, Ámbar visited him at home and shared photos of the quiet, everyday moment. One of the pictures showed the artist reading a comic.Piero’s hit tracks like Mi viejo, Para el pueblo lo que es del pueblo, Llegando llegaste and Que se vayan ellos have always been cherished throughout generations. Some of his work addressed peace, justice, and human rights, including tracks like Pedro Nadie and Para el pueblo lo que es del pueblo.Piero was granted Colombian citizenship in 1994 after his incredible humanitarian and peace initiatives in the country.