Don Francisco to Receive an All-Star Send-Off as “Sabado Gigante” Ends Its Historic Run

It’s an all-star send-off for Don Francisco

The 74-year-old Chilean television host will have an A-List roster of talent on hand when his popular Univision program Sábado Gigante airs its final episode on September 19.

Don Francisco Sabado Gigante

The longest-running variety show in history, created and hosted by television icon Mario Kreutzberger (more commonly known as Don Francisco), will draw to a clsoe after an unparalleled 53-year cycle.

The network confirmed to Billboard and The Hollywood Reporter exclusively that the lineup for the finale includes global superstar Shakira, Spanish heartthrob Enrique Iglesias, Colombian rocker Juanes, Mexican pop diva Paulina Rubio, Italian pop singer Laura Pausini, Latin urban king Daddy Yankee, salsa icon Marc Anthony, regional Mexican acts Espinoza Paz and Intocable, pop balladeer Luis Fonsi, bachata idol Prince Royce and the original crossover queen, Gloria Estefan.

Their participation will be a mix of live performances and other surprises, the details of which will be revealed by Univision in the coming days.

Many of those artists have a unique attachment to Don Francisco, who gave them a platform long before they became household names.

Upon hearing the news in April that the show was ending, many prominent members of the music community shared heartfelt messages on social media dedicated to Kreutzberger, who will continue his relationship with Univision by hosting specials.

At the time, Yankee told Billboard, “Don Francisco was the first person who gave me a shot on national television. I’ll always be indebted to him. His contribution to — and influence in — the Latino community has no limit. He is an example and a true leader.”

Likewise, Royce told Billboard, “Don Francisco and Sábado Gigante have been hugely important in my career. It was the first show where I performed on television even before I was known. Mario opened the doors to Chile for me by inviting me to be a part of his beloved telethon and I’ve joined him for two years in that beautiful labor of love which he puts on from the heart for the kids and families of his country. He has a giant heart and that’s why he’s so big, our dear Don Francisco.”

Iglesias, who first visited the show in 1995 when he was still a relative newcomer, reacted to the news by saying, “Fifty-three years on TV is easy to say, but it’s an incredible record. Don Francisco will always be unique and irreplaceable. I am so grateful because I started my career on the show and I’m sure a lot of my colleagues will agree with me that he has been like a father figure to all of us. Thank you Don Mario.”

Promos for the special “Sábado Gigante: Hasta Siempre” started airing on Univision on September 12 leading up to the grand finale.