Famed Astrologist Walter Mercado Dies At 88

(Photo Source: abc7.com)

Remembering Walter Mercado

Television astrologer Walter Mercado, whose glamorous persona made him an icon in Latin media and the gay community in most of the Spanish-speaking world, has passed away. He was 88.

Hospital spokeswoman Sofía Luquis told The Associated Press on Sunday that Mercado died from kidney failure at the Auxilio Mutuo Hospital in San Juan late Saturday. Mercado became famous for the melodrama of his daily horoscopes, which were aired internationally on broadcast networks such as Univision. He often donned colorful brocaded capes and huge gemstone rings.

Although he never discussed his sexual orientation, Mercado’s screen presence was a source of comfort for many people who identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual throughout Latin American and the U.S.

But before he became the famous icon he is today, Mercado actually took university courses in pharmacology, psychology, and pedagogy. However, he became a well-known dancer and theater actor, even appearing in several soap operas. Mercado also worked briefly for TV stations in the U.S. Caribbean territory before moving to South Florida to join Univision.

His popularity rose in the 1980s, and apart from his predictions and persona, it was his flashy clothes (capes, feathers, and precious stones) that made him stand out.

By: Maytinee Kramer