Glenn Greenwald politician David Miranda has died at the age of 37

Glenn Greenwald politician David Miranda has died aged 37 after a nine-month battle in intensive care following a gastrointestinal infection.

Greenwald posted a heartbreaking tribute Tuesday morning announcing Miranda’s death, alongside photos with their two sons, ages 13 and 15. The 56-year-old called him “the most devoted and loving parent.” He taught me to be a father.’

Miranda, a Brazilian congresswoman who grew up an orphan in Rio’s slums, was remembered by the country’s president, Lula, as a “young man of extraordinary trajectory.”

Greenwald said, “It is with the utmost sadness that I announce the passing of my husband, @DavidMirandaRio. He would have turned 38 tomorrow. His death, early this morning, came after a 9 month battle in ICU. He died peacefully, surrounded by our children and family and friends.’

Miranda was admitted to the ICU of Clínica São Vicente in Rio in August with severe abdominal pain. The cause of death was pancreatitis and a gastrointestinal infection that progressed to septicemia, his doctors told the local press.

Greenwald, Miranda, their two sons and the family’s dog

Greenwald shared touching photos of the couple together before his tragic illness hit. Miranda was admitted to the ICU of Clínica São Vicente in Rio in August 2022 with severe abdominal pain. The cause of death was pancreatitis and a gastrointestinal infection that progressed to septicemia, his doctors told the local press.

Miranda and Greenwald pose for a selfie with fans

Miranda was born in Rio in 1985 and grew up in the predominantly black favela Jacarezinho. His mother died when he was only five years old and he moved in with his aunt.

He left home at the age of 13 and dropped out of school because he wanted to “get to know the world.” He worked shining shoes and cleaning buildings for six years.

Miranda said his life changed one day in 2005 when he was playing volleyball on Ipanema Beach and knocked over an American tourist’s drink.

That tourist was Greenwald and the couple would soon fall in love and move in together after just five days.

“We’ve been together constantly since then,” Miranda told Time magazine in 2019. He explained that he split his time between Brasília and his home in Rio with Greenwald, their two adopted sons, and 25 rescue dogs.

He first became involved in politics in 2013 when he teamed up with Greenwald and a team from The Guardian newspaper to publish Edward Snowden’s overwhelming evidence of mass surveillance by the US government.

Returning to Brazil, he became involved in local politics and in 2016 became the first-ever gay man to be elected to Rio’s city council.

Miranda, a member of the Socialism and Liberty Party (PSOL), is credited with pushing forward progressive reforms, including allowing transgender people to use their preferred name on government documents.

In February 2019, he won a seat in Congress and emerged as an outspoken critic of then-President Jair Bolsonaro, who had declared himself a “proud homophobe” during his campaign.

Greenwald said in his tribute, “David’s life was extraordinary in every way. His mother died when he was 5 and left him an orphan in Jacarezinho. But a beautiful and compassionate neighbor, Dona Eliane, took him in despite 4 children of her own and deep poverty, became his mother, gave him a chance at life.

That gave David the chance to live his full potential in a society that often suffocates it. He was key to the Snowden story, becoming the first gay man elected to the Rio city council and then to the federal congress at the age of 32. He inspired so many with his biography, passion and life force.

“Because of the way David grew up, there were always a lot of assumptions from those who didn’t know him. Anyone who did will tell you that there was no one with a stronger will or life force. He was proud to be named our Next Generation’s Leaders by TIME.

Miranda attends a protest in Brazil. He was named by TIME in their Next Generation’s Leaders section in 2019

Miranda and Greenwald pose with their two boys. In his tribute, Greenwald said, “But by far David’s greatest dream, what gave him the greatest pride and purpose, was to be a father. He was the most devoted and loving parent. He taught me to be a father. And our truly exceptional boys – with their own rocky start to life – is his greatest legacy.”

Miranda (pictured with Greenwald and Edward Snowden) first got involved in politics in 2013 when he teamed up with Greenwald and a team from The Guardian newspaper to publicize Edward Snowden’s overwhelming evidence of mass surveillance by the US government

Miranda became the first-ever gay man elected to Rio’s city council in 2016

Miranda, a member of the Socialism and Liberty Party (PSOL), is credited with pushing forward progressive reforms, including allowing transgender people to use their preferred name on government documents

“But David’s biggest dream by far, the one that gave him the biggest pride and purpose, was to be a father. He was the most devoted and loving parent. He taught me to be a father. And our truly exceptional boys – with their own rocky start to life – is his greatest legacy.

“When David arrived at the hospital last August 6, I was told there was little chance he would survive the week. I have since heard the same thing 3 times. He declined, in classic David style. The past 4 months have provided our family with the most beautiful moments together.

“David was one of a kind: the strongest, most passionate, most compassionate man I’ve known. No one had a bad word about him. I cannot describe the loss and the pain. I will do my best to honor his legacy: our children and our NGOs. And I know so many will celebrate him and his impact.”