May 17th, 2009
Uruguayan writer and poet Mario Benedetti died on Sunday, May 17, 2009, while at his home in Montevdeo. The writer suffered from respiratory and intestinal problems and recently spent time in the hospital. He was born September 14, 1920 and was the author of more than 80 books of fiction, poetry, short stories and essays. His longtime friend and collaborator, singer-songwriter Daniel Viglietti, often set Benedetti’s poems to music.