Erick Kreutzberger Family, Personal Life, & More
Erick Kreutzberger is popularly known as the father of Mario Kreutzberger, also known as Don Francisco. Don Francisco is the host of a popular Spanish speaking television game show called “Sabados Gigantes.” The show originated in Chile. Francisco also anchored another talk show “Don Francisco Presenta.” Keep on reading to find out more about Erick Kreutzberger.
Personal Life of Erick Kreutzberger
Max Kreutzberger and his wife Carolina Kreutzberger welcomed their eldest son Erick Kreutzberger on April 2, 1905. He was born in Deutschland, Germany. Kreutzberger had a younger sibling named Frida Kreutzberger. Erick Kreutzberger walked down the aisle with Anna Kreutzberger, formerly known as Blumenfeld Neufeld. The couple welcomed their only son Mario Kreutzberger Blumenfeld on December 28, 1940.
Erick Kreutzberger is a Holocaust survivor with German Jewish ancestry. He was the son of a German immigrant father and a Chilean mother. He grew up in Santiago, the capital of Chile, and attended school there. In 1941, Kreutzberger graduated from high school and began working for his father’s import-export business. Eric Kreutzberger joined the Chilean army and served in World War II. After the war, Kreutzberger returned to Santiago and started his own clothing business.
All about Don Francisco
Mario Luis Kreutzberger Blumenfeld, better known as Don Francisco, is a Chilean television host, actor, and producer. He is best known for hosting the Chilean version of the talent show “Sábado Gigante,” which he hosted for 53 years.
Born in Talca, Chile Don Francisco was welcomed into this world by his parents on December 28, 1940. His father, Mario Kreutzberger, was a German Jew who had emigrated to Chile in the 1930s. His mother, Anna Blumenfeld, was a Chilean of Ashkenazi Jewish descent.
Don Francisco began his career working in his father’s clothing store. He later started working in television, hosting various shows and eventually landing the hosting gig on “Sábado Gigante” in 1962. The show was an instant hit, and Don Francisco became a household name in Chile. He would go on to host the show for 53 years, until its final episode aired in 2015.
During his time on “Sábado Gigante,” Don Francisco also became known for his charitable work. He founded the Mario Kreutzberger Blumenfeld Foundation, which helps children and families in need. He has also been a UNICEF goodwill ambassador since 1989.
In addition to his work on television, Don Francisco has also appeared in several films and stage productions. He has won several awards for his work, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in 2013.
Don Francisco is currently retired from television but remains active with his foundation and UNICEF. He is also a published author, with his most recent book being a memoir titled “Don Francisco: Memoirs of a Broadcast Legend,” which was released in 2016.
Conclusion
Erick Kreutzberger passed away on April 6, 2000, at the ripe old age of 95. He was buried in Santiago, Chile. His son Mario Kreutzberger on to become one of Chile’s and Latin America’s most famous television personalities. He is better known by his stage name, Don Francisco. Don Francisco has been credited with helping to bring Chilean television into the modern age. He is known for his humor and his willingness to experiment with new formats and ideas.
