American Journalist, Foreign Correspondent and News Executive, born 4 February 1934, died 20 August 2024.

In 1958, when he was only 24, United Press International hired Neeleman to move to Brazil as a foreign correspondent. During the time Gary was there, he covered many important stories and got to know famous world leaders. He exclusively interviewed Fidel Castro. He helped UPI break the story that Israel had kidnapped Adolph Eichmann, the former Nazi high official responsible for organizing the Holocaust, who was living secretly in Argentina. Gary got the scoop from a confidential source. Gary personally knew two Brazilian presidents and interviewed Brazil’s soccer king, Pelé.

Neeleman working for UPI, the LA Times, and the Washington Post. Was with Haile Selassie of Ethiopia when his government toppled in Addis Ababa. Was probably the last person to interview Fidel Castro in 1960 when he came through Brazil as a triumphant dictator after toppling Fulgencio Batista. Traveled with Charles de Gaulle when he visited Brazil trying to organize his force de frappe. Interviewed Yuri Gagarin, the first Russian astronaut, when he came to Brazil. Traveled with Che Guevara when he received the Southern Cross—a Brazilian medal. Covered the Brazilian military upheaval in 1964 and was in house arrest for a while. Traveled with Juscelino Kubitschek, the famous Brazilian president who built Brasilia.

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