It's difficult to start this text to honor Claudia Wonder's memory without thinking about the void that her absence leaves. I have enormous affection and admiration for Claudia. And it's funny how coincidences are in this life.
I met Claudia through her columns in G Magazine. Shortly before meeting her in person, in 2007, I was just thinking about writing a text praising her intelligence and clarity. Claudia Wonder is kind of essential, I I wrote.
Hence, shortly before closing the first edition of the magazine The Cape, Roberto Cushman sent me on one of the first missions outside the newsroom: to photograph Claudia Wonder for the now-defunct "Seu Espaço" section, which was the last page of the magazine.
I remember that day well. Our first meeting resulted in not only photos, but also a good hour of conversation. Part of it is recorded in the post linked above. I arrived at her apartment while she was preparing noodles for lunch.
That day, as we talked about the period in which she was imprisoned during the military dictatorship and she shared news about what her CD FunkyDiscoFashion would be, I realized that I was in front of a unique and singular person.
Several moments later. In other interviews, unusual meetings, visits, lunches, I learned to admire Claudia more and more. Loved by everyone, funny, talented and versatile. She was a good person. She fought independently and acted for the good of others. And as Caio Fernando Abreu would say, an example of dignity.
Attentive, humble and very concerned about human beings, she complained little. A fighter, she fought for respect and rights. She was called Dona Claudia by the taxi drivers who served her. She faced stigmas and powers. And her death leaves the world less colorful. I feel lucky and happy to have met her and to have had her in my life.
Claudia wasn't Wonder in name alone. She really was a wonderful person.
