The chairman of the Portuguese unit of Spain’s largest bank, Santander, Antonio Vieira Monteiro, died from the coronavirus on 18 March.
Vieira Monteiro, 73, became chairman of Santander Totta in 2019 after seven years as chief executive. He led the bank during a period of austerity, economic and debt crisis in Portugal.
A Santander spokesman confirmed that Vieira Monteiro had died from the coronavirus. Vieira Monteiro was put in quarantine earlier this month after a trip to hard-hit Italy, and was in intensive care in a Lisbon hospital since last week.
Mr Monteiro’s daughter and grandchildren are reported to be equally infected – and thus will be unable to attend his funeral.
Santander’s president Ana Botim paid tribute by sayingy: “Early this morning we lost a great leader, professional and dear friend. Antonio was passionate about life and his job, and the Chairman of Santander Portugal. Until recently, our CEO, he joined us 20 years ago, and part of my team from the beginning.
“This morning when I was speaking to Pedro Castro e Almeida, our Portugal CEO and later to Rita, António’s daughter, I felt personally the true dimension of this crisis. Rita will not be able to attend the funeral as she has the COVID-19 herself. My colleagues and I – even though healthy – will also be unable to do so.
“I want to tell everyone in the extended Santander family and beyond, to all the communities, CEOs and governments, let’s work together to save lives and to save the jobs that can help save lives. Let’s each one of us contribute what we are best at, and forget ideologies and political parties. We are one global family. Working together, we can solve this faster and recover faster”.
Photo Credit: Getty
