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Enrico De Martino, the father of Italian television personality Stefano De Martino, passed away on January 19, 2026, at the age of 61. He had been battling an illness, with his condition recently deteriorating, according to sources close to his son.
A Life Dedicated to Dance
Enrico De Martino was a professional dancer in his youth, dedicating his life to the art form. He collaborated with numerous dance schools and companies in the campania region of Italy and performed at the Teatro San Carlo in Naples. In 2025, he was honored with a career achievement award at the XXIV edition of the Premio Salerno Danza, held at the Teatro Verdi di Salerno, under the artistic direction of Corona Paone and Luigi Ferrone. Premio Salerno Danza
Balancing passion and duty
De Martino often reflected on his dance career, which he paused at the age of 25 when his wife became pregnant with Stefano. He explained in an interview with Corriere della sera, “At that point, I had to take responsibility. Dance became a hobby, but I did everything I could for Stefano to live that passion.” Corriere della Sera He continued to combine dance with running a restaurant and collaborating with schools in Campania until the age of 40.
A Complex but Deepening Father-Son Relationship
The relationship between Stefano De Martino and his father was described as profound and complex. Stefano often spoke about his fatherS initial reservations about his pursuit of a dance career, stemming from concerns about the profession’s physical and mental demands. Enrico himself acknowledged these concerns in interviews. However, their bond strengthened over time, particularly after the birth of Stefano’s son, Santiago, fostering a more relaxed and understanding dynamic.
pride in His Son’s Success
Enrico De Martino expressed immense pride in his son’s success as a television presenter.”I followed all of his evolution, step by step. Seeing him host vital programs is a huge joy. The greatest gift is that he has remained the person he was, without letting it go to his head,” he shared.
Appreciation for Maria de Filippi
Enrico fondly remembered his first meeting with Maria De Filippi, the talent scout who