Pippo Baudo, the last entertainer in Italian homes, has died.

Pippo Baudo has died in Rome at the age of 89. The host who more than any other marked the history of Italian television passed away at the Campus Biomedico, surrounded by his family. The news, confirmed by lawyer Giorgio Assumma and released by ANSA, immediately spread across the country, sparking a wave of mourning across politics, entertainment, and institutions.

Born in Militello in Val di Catania in 1936, Baudo arrived in Rome during the economic boom years to pursue his dream of becoming a showbiz star. Over a career spanning over sixty years, he hosted RAI's most important variety shows, from Settevoci to Canzonissima, from Fantastico to Domenica In. But above all, he was the face of the Sanremo Music Festival, hosting it for thirteen years, an unmatched record. On the Ariston stage, he launched voices and careers that would become icons of Italian music, from Laura Pausini to Giorgia, from Andrea Bocelli to Eros Ramazzotti.

Baudo wasn't just a presenter: he was also a talent scout, an artistic director, and a master of ceremonies capable of commanding the stage with charisma, professionalism, and rigor. His vision of television was popular but not banal, designed to entertain without ever losing sight of respect for the audience. This is why he was able to transcend generations while remaining a constant point of reference, even during the most challenging moments of his career.

In the hours following his death, messages of condolence poured in from colleagues and politicians. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni remembered him as "a face and voice that have accompanied entire generations," while RAI spoke of the loss of "a piece of the heart of Italian television." Mara Venier, Milly Carlucci, Carlo Conti, Gerry Scotti, and many others paid tribute to the maestro who trained and inspired entire generations of presenters and artists.

With Pippo Baudo, the last great protagonist of twentieth-century television has passed away. His voice, style, and charisma will remain in the collective memory as an integral part of Italian popular culture.