Telemundo to honor Don Francisco at Premios Tu Mundo

Telemundo announced it will honor Mario Kreutzberger, better known as Don Francisco, at its 2015 “Premios Tu Mundo” for his lifelong contributions to Spanish-language television and popular culture around the world. “Premios Tu Mundo” will broadcast live on TELEMUNDO Thursday, August 20, at 8PM/7c, preceded by the blue carpet special “La Alfombra de Premios Tu Mundo” at 7PM/6c, from the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida.

Creator and host of the longest running TV variety show in the world according to Guinness World Records, Mario Kreutzberger, who adopted the stage name “Don Francisco,” is the most recognizable face on Spanish-language television and a beloved international humanitarian. During his more than 53-year long career, Kreutzberger has traveled to over 185 countries worldwide, interviewing thousands of individuals including many world leaders, such as Presidents George W. Bush, and Barack Obama, among many others. 

Born in Chile to German Jewish immigrant parents who fled escaping Nazi persecution, Kreutzberger launched “Sábado Gigante” in 1962 on Chile’s Canal 13 where the show became an instant success that has lasted 53 years, broadcasting in over 42 countries throughout the United States, Latin America and Europe. “Sábado Gigante” will end its broadcast cycle in September 2015 on Spanish-language network Univision.

Kreutzberger has received numerous industry recognitions from public and private institutions in the United States and Latin America. He has been inducted into the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame; honored on the Hollywood Walk of Fame; featured in the “Museum of Television and Radio” in the U.S.; and received a special Emmy Award as “Leader of Spanish Language Television.”

His impact has extended beyond the small screen, through his admirable contributions towards the welfare of children. Since its founding in 1978, Kreutzberger has been at the helm of the “TELETON Chile,” a biannual telethon that has resulted in the construction of 13 hospitals where over 91,000 disabled children have been treated. To date, TELETON Chile has raised more than 491 million dollars. For his work on behalf of children, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) named him Ambassador for the organization. In 1998, Kreutzberger founded ORITEL (International Organization of Telethons), the governing organization for the telethons of Chile, Mexico, Colombia, El Salvador, Peru, USA, Guatemala, Honduras, Uruguay, Paraguay, Nicaragua, and Puerto Rico. He currently serves as Chairman of ORITEL.   In addition, in 2001, he became Vice President of the Muscular Dystrophy Association in the United States, a position he holds to this day.