The entertainment world is going through hours of deep pain after confirming the death of Mercedes ‘Meche’ Portillo, historic producer of Intruders (América TV) and a fundamental piece in the professional and personal life of Rodrigo Lussich y Adrian Pallares.
The health complication that ended his life began days ago, after the team returned from a work commitment in the province of Jujuy. The hosts and the production company had participated in various activities in the north of the country until Saturday, November 22, when they took the last group photo that was later broadcast on the program.
Upon returning to Buenos Aires, the woman suffered severe decompensation. Being treated urgently, doctors confirmed a critical diagnosis: she had bilateral pneumonia. According to Lussich on air during the show cycle, this was “the most difficult test” that her friend had faced. Although they hoped that he would be able to move forward and asked the entire audience to join in a prayer chain with his family.
Confirmation of his death came this Thursday, November 27 through an extensive post that Rodrigo published on his Instagram account. There she shared photos with Portillo and a letter that, until that moment, she had decided to keep private in the hope of being able to read it in person to her friend. “But if you couldn’t read me, if the air is no longer enough for you, I’m going to take your name anywhere. I’m going to tell the world everything you taught me, everything you are and everything you gave me,” the journalist began.
“I hope I never publish this letter, I hope it is not necessary, I hope it is not the first of others; and if it is, I have so much to tell about you that there will be no words that will suffice, like the air that challenges you once again, from which you emerged so many times, precisely, with flying colors. But don’t be afraid. If you feel like there is no more air around here; Fly through the air from wherever, wherever you want, let it be as Buenos Aires as the ones you lived in until your last breath…“, he continued and filled all his readers with emotion.
In addition, the journalist thanked all those people who were concerned about Meche’s health and who sent him their prayers. “This is how the letter I wrote ended, the part I didn’t publish because I wanted to be able to read the previous part to you. Now you are flying through new and clean, healthy and colorful air! One day I will catch up with you and we will fly together again! Meche (1972 – 2025 – infinity). Thank you all for your love, your prayers and your words. I know that they came and accompanied him on a journey without suffering,” he remarked.
Finally, he made one last request to his followers and colleagues, to accompany his colleague’s family with love. “Meche’s sister and mother have his cell phone and will later be able to see his Instagram account @mechaline. Fill the account with messages that they will read”, he concluded.
Minutes later, Adrián Pallares also shared his heartfelt farewell to Portillo. “I can’t believe it. Our Meche has just died and I can’t find an explanation for such injustice in life. A lifelong fighter, a talented, good, loving person and above all a friend to her friends, a loving daughter and sister companion,” he wrote.
The journalist recalled with special emotion the last night they shared: “I just want to remember her just like in the photo. Or like last Saturday night, at that lunch with @rodrilussich where we laughed and remembered anecdotes from three years of theater tour. A meal that lasted until after three in the morning, and that no one could have imagined would be the last of the three of us together.”
“Thank you for having crossed your path into my life, thank you for always being so affectionate with me, thank you for taking care of me and taking care of us in everything that had to do with work and in life. Thank you for your love of fighting and giving everything and not giving up on anything. Thank you for that contagious love for all of us who sometimes complain about stupid things. You will always be in my mind and especially in my heart. “I love you today and for life, dear companion,” he concluded.
The death of Meche Portillo generated immediate reactions among colleagues, media figures and followers of the cycle. Social networks were filled with messages of affection. “I’m so sorry, guys, I know about your love for her. I’m with you in this loss.”; “Huge love, friends, I hug you from the depths of my soul.” y “Big hug to both of you. She will be missed very much”were some of the messages that multiplied from users.