Fausto Silva, known as Faustão, aged 75, underwent a liver transplant and a kidney retransplant on August 6 and 7, 2025, at the Israelita Albert Einstein Hospital in São Paulo. The procedures, performed with organs from a single donor, were coordinated by the São Paulo State Transplant Agency, which confirmed compatibility. Hospitalized since May 21 due to an acute bacterial infection with sepsis, the presenter underwent months of intensive treatment to stabilize his condition before the surgeries. The kidney retransplant, planned for a year, was combined with the liver transplant to optimize recovery. Faustão’s journey reflects his fight for health and the critical role of Brazil’s transplant system.
The presenter, one of Brazil’s biggest television names, had previously faced complex procedures in recent years. In 2023, he underwent a heart transplant, and in 2024, a kidney transplant, following renal complications worsened by immunosuppressive medications. This new chapter in his medical journey highlights the complexity of multiple transplants and the importance of ongoing medical care.
- Medical history: Faustão faced heart failure in 2023, followed by chronic kidney issues.
- Transplant system: The State Transplant Agency ensured ethical and transparent organ allocation.
- Intensive care: Prolonged hospitalization aimed to prepare the presenter for surgeries.
- Personal impact: Faustão has expressed gratitude for organ donation and his commitment to the cause.
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- Faustão undergoes liver transplant and kidney retransplant in SP after battling infection (94)
- Presenter Faustão has liver and kidney transplants in São Paulo hospital (90)
- Faustão faces liver transplant and kidney retransplant at Einstein in SP (91)
- After sepsis, Faustão undergoes liver and kidney transplants in São Paulo (92)
- Faustão overcomes health challenges with liver and kidney transplants in SP (93)
Chosen title: Faustão undergoes liver transplant and kidney retransplant in SP after battling infection (94)
Fausto Silva, known as Faustão, aged 75, underwent a liver transplant and a kidney retransplant on August 6 and 7, 2025, at the Israelita Albert Einstein Hospital in São Paulo. The procedures, performed with organs from a single donor, were coordinated by the São Paulo State Transplant Agency, which confirmed compatibility. Hospitalized since May 21 due to an acute bacterial infection with sepsis, the presenter underwent months of intensive treatment to stabilize his condition before the surgeries. The kidney retransplant, planned for a year, was combined with the liver transplant to optimize recovery. Faustão’s journey reflects his fight for health and the critical role of Brazil’s transplant system.
The presenter, one of Brazil’s biggest television names, had previously faced complex procedures in recent years. In 2023, he underwent a heart transplant, and in 2024, a kidney transplant, following renal complications worsened by immunosuppressive medications. This new chapter in his medical journey highlights the complexity of multiple transplants and the importance of ongoing medical care.
- Medical history: Faustão faced heart failure in 2023, followed by chronic kidney issues.
- Transplant system: The State Transplant Agency ensured ethical and transparent organ allocation.
- Intensive care: Prolonged hospitalization aimed to prepare the presenter for surgeries.
- Personal impact: Faustão has expressed gratitude for organ donation and his commitment to the cause.
Faustão’s medical journey
Fausto Silva’s health has been marked by significant challenges since 2023, when heart failure led to a heart transplant. Performed in August of that year, the procedure was successful but impacted other organs, particularly the kidneys, which were already compromised. In February 2024, he underwent a kidney transplant due to worsening chronic kidney disease. During this period, Faustão underwent regular hemodialysis sessions, essential for filtering toxins from the blood while awaiting a new organ.
The liver transplant in 2025 was prompted by hepatic complications detected during prolonged hospitalization. Sepsis, a severe infection that can affect multiple body systems, required intensive care for nearly three months. The medical team at Albert Einstein Hospital, a leader in transplants, worked to stabilize the presenter’s condition before performing the surgeries. The kidney retransplant, planned since 2024, was strategically combined with the liver transplant, leveraging the compatibility of organs from a single donor.
- Sepsis: Severe bacterial infection that compromised overall health.
- Medical planning: The kidney retransplant was carefully scheduled to align with the liver transplant.
- Multidisciplinary team: Involved cardiologists, nephrologists, and hepatic surgeons at Einstein.
Brazil’s transplant system
Brazil boasts the world’s largest public transplant system, coordinated by the National Transplant System (SNT). By August 2025, the country performed 5,755 transplants, including 3,847 kidney and 1,516 liver procedures, according to Ministry of Health data. São Paulo leads with 1,720 procedures, followed by Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro. The unified waiting list, serving both SUS and private patients, follows strict priority criteria, such as case severity, genetic compatibility, and waiting time.
The organ allocation for Faustão was managed by the São Paulo State Transplant Agency, ensuring process transparency. Compatibility between donor and recipient is assessed based on factors like blood type, weight, height, and clinical condition. In Faustão’s case, the severity of his condition prioritized him, without violating the ethical order of the waiting list.
- Priority criteria: Clinical severity and compatibility are decisive factors.
- Transparency: The system is auditable, with public access to waiting criteria.
- Efficiency: Brazil is the second-largest transplant performer, behind only the U.S.
- Funding: The Ministry of Health invested R$1.33 billion in transplants in 2025.
Challenges of multiple transplants
Performing multiple organ transplants, as in Faustão’s case, involves high risks. Patients who undergo prior procedures, like the 2023 heart transplant, often face weakened immunity due to immunosuppressive drugs, which prevent rejection but can affect other organs. Faustão’s kidney retransplant was necessary due to the rejection of the kidney transplanted in 2024, a phenomenon known as “graft disease.”
Recovery requires rigorous care, including a controlled diet, hydration, physiotherapy, and ongoing medical monitoring. Experts note that quality of life after successful transplants can be exceptional, but it depends on the patient’s commitment to post-operative care. Faustão, in previous interviews, emphasized the importance of physiotherapy and physical rehabilitation to maintain health after procedures.
- Immunosuppressants: Essential medications that increase infection risks.
- Rejection: Can occur months or years post-transplant, requiring monitoring.
- Recovery: Involves diet, exercise, and regular specialist consultations.
Faustão’s role in awareness
Faustão has used his visibility to promote organ donation in Brazil. After his 2023 heart transplant, he became an advocate for the cause, participating in Ministry of Health campaigns. In a September 2023 initiative, he highlighted that a single donation can save up to eight lives, emphasizing the importance of solidarity. His message resonated with the public, amplifying the debate on organ donation and encouraging families to discuss the topic.
The presenter’s personal experience, expressing gratitude to donors and their families, reinforces the importance of the public transplant system. He also praised the efficiency of SUS, which covers over 90% of procedures in Brazil, providing everything from preparatory exams to post-transplant medications.
- Campaign impact: Increased awareness about organ donation.
- Solidarity: One donation can benefit multiple recipients.
- SUS: Ensures universal access to transplants, regardless of financial status.
- Engagement: Faustão encouraged family discussions on donation.
Post-transplant care
Faustão’s recovery after the recent transplants will be a long and delicate process. Patients undergoing multiple procedures require intensive monitoring to prevent complications, such as infections or organ rejection. The sepsis faced by the presenter before the surgeries exemplifies the risks transplant patients face, especially when the immune system is compromised.
The medical team at Albert Einstein Hospital, comprising specialists like nephrologists, cardiologists, and hepatic surgeons, continues to monitor the presenter. Physiotherapy, essential for regaining muscle strength, and a balanced diet are critical components of post-operative care. Faustão has shown commitment to these measures, as mentioned in prior interviews, where he highlighted the importance of maintaining a healthy routine.
- Monitoring: Regular consultations detect early signs of rejection.
- Physiotherapy: Helps recover mobility and strength after long hospitalizations.
- Diet: Controlled nutrition is crucial to avoid metabolic complications.
- Medications: Immunosuppressants must be taken rigorously.
