Note from BW of Brazil: It’s shameful to see what happens to many long-time entertainers when the steady work stops coming in. Although since the dawn of Brazilian television, black actresses have, for the most part, been relegated to bit parts here and there often times in stereotypical roles that re-enforce the “place” black women, there are worthy examples of the class and dignity that these women have brought to the big and small screen over the years. Ruth de Souza, Léa Garcia, Chica Xavier and Zezé Motta are a few examples of these actresses. Add to this list the name of actress Neuza Borges and one has a long legacy of black women in Brazilian film and television even if race undoubtedly played a role in their reaching the heights of the careers they could have achieved. A few years ago, we brought to you the sad news of Neuza’s stroke as the actress had been experiencing hard times with the dwindling of roles in television which clearly contributed to the deterioration of her health. Although she hasn’t been seen on the small screen in some time, she received some help from an unexpected source recently which hopefully will be enough to help her survive. Good luck to you Neuza!
“If it weren’t for Bruna Marquezine, I’d be starving,” says Neuza Borges
Far from the TV, Neuza Borges opens a thrift store in Salvador with help from Bruna Marquezine
From the newsroom
Many don’t know, Neuza Borges, who has enjoyed success in several Globo TV novelas (soap operas), is not only not experiencing more necessities nowadays because she enlisted the help of actress Bruna Marquezine to open a thrift store in Salvador.
Unemployed for two years, the artist told the news column “Retratos da Vida” (Portraits of Life), of the Extra newspaper, that thanks to the solidarity of Neide, mother of actress Bruna Marquezine, has she managed to survive.
According to the publication, sensitized at the plight of the baiana (Bahia native), mother and daughter donated a lot of clothes so that Neuza could open a shop in Salvador. “If it weren’t for Bruna Marquezine and her mother, I’d be starving. I’m very grateful for all she did for me,” Neuza excitedly expressed her gratitude.
Bruna and Neuza met during the recording of the novela América and returned to play opposite each other in Salve Jorge, the last novela in which the 74 year old actress appeared. The initiative to help the veteran came when Neuza revealed that she always faces difficulties when she’s not on the air.
“Whenever a novel is over, I go through five, six years of struggling. I’m tired of going to television programs saying I was starving, that I needed to work. I mounted this store to survive. They’re good, semi-new clothes, not the cheap stuff. And..at a bargain price. One piece that costs R$2,000 (US$83) in the store, I sell here for R$250 (US$110). The store is most successful with tourists,” she explains.
“What I get from sales, doesn’t come close to the salary that I get when I do a novela, but, thank God, it’s working out to survive.”
According to Extra, who tends to the thrift store is Neuza herself. “I really wanted to work, to do novelas, but it’s very difficult in this country to write characters for black people my age,” she complains.
Neuza’s thrift store is located on Marquês de Leão street, in the Barra district of Salvador.
Source: Correio 24 Horas
Could you provide an update on the whereabouts of Miss Borges?