Death and illness
Leandro Rud, the historic model manager, died this Friday at the age of 51 as a result of cancer that had been detected in 2021. He was hospitalized at the Sanatorio Finochietto to undergo chemotherapy, a process that he began only in June 2026 after trying to overcome the disease with other treatments. According to LA NACION, the businessman had spent several days in the private medical center due to a malignant tumor in the salivary glands, which had already metastasized to the bones and affected other organs. Although his illness was first detected in 2014, it was not until 2021 that they discovered exactly what his condition was.[S1]
Due to this cancer in his salivary glands, Leandro Rud could not consume food by his own means, but had to ingest it via a feeding tube, as he showed on his social media a few weeks ago. He himself sent a message of awareness about medical check-ups, later revealing that he had stage 4 cancer, the most advanced phase. In 2014, Rud decided to close his modeling agency, which he had founded in 1996 and led him to work with Jésica Cirio, Pamela David, and Rocío Marengo, to focus fully on his cancer treatment.[S1]
Career and public battle
Born on September 19, 1974, in Buenos Aires, Rud founded his own modeling agency in 1996, which became one of the most recognized in the country. He represented figures such as Jésica Cirio, Pamela David, and Rocío Marengo. After closing the agency, he started a career as a television host, leading the program La Noche, first on C5N and then on Canal 9. He used this platform to talk about his illness and support others facing similar situations.[S2][S3]
In May of this year, Rud shared a message of strength: "They were very difficult days. Fight it, life is worth it." He also practiced swimming in cold water, which he believed helped stop metastasis and improve his well-being. He highlighted the importance of family, friends, doctors, and pets in his recovery. His last public messages on Instagram showed his chemotherapy process and encouraged followers to get regular check-ups.[S2][S3][S4]
