Award-winning journalist Marcelo Zlotogwiazda has died aged 61, after losing his battle against colon cancer.
The news was confirmed Tuesday evening by a number of outlets for which he had worked.
Zlotogwiazda had an extensive and distinguished career in journalism, working for the C5N and Todo Noticias news channels, as well as a host of radio stations including Belgrano, Radio Del Plata, Splendid, Rock & Pop, Miter, Radio 10 and Con Vos.
He also contributed to many print outlets, including El Porteño, Página/12, Tres Punto, El Cronista Comercial, Ámbito Financiero, Veintitrés and InfoNews, as well as penning a number of books.
Often referred to as just 'Zloto,' he was honoured with for his work by a host of prestigious institutions during his career, winning prizes from TEA, Citibank, Konex and Martín Fierro. He was a columnist for Infobae right up until his death, filing his last column on Monday after the presidential debate, the website reported.
Tributes
Zlotogwiazda was a rare journalist that was respected across the political spectrum. Tributes immediately poured in, among them presidential candidate and former economy minister Roberto Lavagna.
"My deep regret for the death of journalist and economist Marcelo Zlotogwiazda, a professional who respected by all, rigorous and demanding. My thoughts to his family and friends at this hard time," the Consenso Federal leader posted on Twitter.
Presidential candidate for the Frente de Todos coalition, Alberto Fernández also paid tribute to the late journalist.
"I am deeply moved by the death of Marcelo Zlotogwiazda," he wrote. "A great professional. Honest, intelligent, deep and fair. I loved him a lot and respected him more. Very sad. It is a great loss for Argentine journalism. My enormous regret to his loved ones."
Security Minister for Buenos Aires Province Cristian Ritondo described the late journalist as "a great professional," expressing his "deepest regret" for the loss in a post on the same network.
Gubernatorial candidate for Buenos Aires Province and former economy minister Axel Kicillof described Zlotogwiazda as a "great economist and a great friend."
In a column for Infobae, journalist María O'Donell, who worked with him on many occasions over the years, spoke eloquently of her departed friend.
“I don't think I met any more coherent, more stubborn journalist than Zloto," she wrote.
Distinguished, varied career
Born in Buenos Aires on October 6, 1958, Zlotogwiazda graduated with a degree in economics from the University of Buenos Aires (UBA), before going on to work for Franco Macri's Grupo SOCMA and as a teacher at the same university.
In 1985, he moved into journalist and began writing for the El Periodista de Buenos Aires magazine. He also began work in radio, initially as part of Eduardo Aliverti's Sin anestesia programme on Radio Belgrano. Soon after, he began working for numerous other outlets too, as would be his trademark for years to come.
Before long he was a familiar voice on the airwaves, presenting shows such as Rompecabezas (Rock & Pop), Esto que pasa (Del Plata), Magdalena tempranísimo y Buen día Santo (Radio Mitre), and Hora pico y La otra pata (Radio Mitre). Most recently, he presented La vuelta de Zloto , initially on Radio Del Plata before moving onto Radio 10.
On television, he worked predominantly for shows on C5N, including Desafío 20.19", América TV and Todo Noticias, co-hosting one show for seven years with fellow notable journalist Ernesto Tenembaum named Palabras más, palabras menos.
A published author, Zlotogwiazda also published two investigative non-fiction books: La Mafia del Oro. La mayor estafa al Estado argentino permitida desde el poder and Citibank vs. Argentina. Historia de un país en bancarrota, as well as forming part of teams that investigated numerous banks and bankruptcy proceedings.
Asked about journalism, Zlotogwiazda told Periódico el Barrio in 1999 that "over time I have realised that I have certain characteristics appropriate to the practice of the profession. I always say that it's a necessary condition, but insufficient. To be a good journalist, information needs to excite you," he added.
– TIMES/NA/PERFIL
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