Sara Stewart Brown, the former wife of renowned Argentine journalist Jorge Lanata, took to social media to express her heartfelt farewell after his passing at the age of 64 on December 30, 2023. Known for his influential work in journalism and television, Lanata's death came after months of health struggles, leaving many to reflect on both his remarkable talent and the relationships he cultivated throughout his life.
It was not until the night of January 5, 2024, nearly a week after Lanata's death, when Brown mustered the courage to share her tributes and memories on her social media account. Having been with Lanata through thick and thin for nearly two decades, she found it challenging to capture their complex relationship adequately. "Hace días quiero escribir algo y no me sale nada. O más bien me sale todo. Cada cosa que escribo me parece poco o que no le hace justicia, especialmente porque él tan bueno con las palabras y yo tan disléxica," she began, eloquently conveying her struggle to find the right words during such emotionally charged times.
Stewart Brown elaborated on the tumultuous nature of their relationship. "Lanata tuvo mil vidas y tuve el privilegio de ser testigo de algunas de ellas," she reflected, indicating the many chapters they experienced together, moving between friendship and romance, often marked by both drama and exhilaration. Their story began when they first met working together at the Revista Veintiuno, leading to their romantic relationship starting in 1998, with their daughter Lola being born six years later.
Lanata was known for his sharp wit and intense career, which often spilled over to affect his personal relationships. Brown recalled, "Fuimos mil cosas, amigos, amantes, pareja, amigos, nos embarcamos en cada delirio y vivimos dramones." Their connection saw many ups and downs, including two separations, the first being quite public during what the media dubbed the 'ruta del dinero' scandal.
Despite their tumultuous history, Brown recognized how their bond evolved post-separation. "Lo bueno cuando te separas y seguís queriendo bien es que perdés la cotidianidad que saca a flor de piel las cosas que te irritan del otro," she expressed, shedding light on the newfound harmony they maintained. Even after their splits, they continued to support each other. This was evident when she selflessly donated her kidney to Lanata during his medical crisis, solidifying their deep-seated connection.
One particularly touching memory Stewart Brown shared was of them celebrating New Year’s Eve with their daughter Lola in Paris back in 2008. "Un día después de separarnos hizo esto, Lanata encendiendo una estrellita para Lola en París, Año Nuevo 2008," she recalled fondly, highlighting Lanata’s ability to remain present and nurturing even during tumultuous times. This light-hearted moment exemplified the tender gestures he was capable of, contrasting with the serious persona he often portrayed on-screen.
Stewart Brown also shared how Lanata had described his thoughts on mortality and stars during the latter part of his life. "Lanata sobre la muerte y las estrellas en su biografía by Luis Majul," she noted, illustrating how introspective he had become. Their discussions on life's bigger questions often strengthened their bond even more.
Alongside these memories, Brown opened up about significant personal milestones they navigated together. She talked candidly about her quest to find her biological mother, something Lanata was incredibly supportive of. "Esto me lo escribió cuando finalmente encontré a Mercedes, mi mamá biológica," she reminisced, sharing the intimate role he played during those moments.
While the last years of Lanata’s life were filled with health struggles, they managed to maintain what Stewart Brown described as "una relación bastante idílica," focused on mutual respect and emotional support. "Desde que me separé era una relación bastante idílica, discutíamos poco," she stated, detailing how they navigated differences like parenting and even their takes on social media platforms—which often led to humorous debates.
Throughout their shared history, it was clear Lanata left behind not just a legacy of journalistic excellence, but also the deeply personal impact he had on those closest to him, particularly Sara Stewart Brown. She concluded with reflections not just on their past as partners but also the unyielding friendship they cultivated—one born from love, deeply rooted, and continually growing even as they navigated the ups and downs of life.
Jorge Lanata's untimely passing leaves behind many stories of his personal and professional life, serving as evidence of the lasting bonds he built and the deep influence he had on those like Sara Stewart Brown, who knew him best—beyond the cameras and headlines, as the man behind the journalist.