Miami, Sep 20 (EFE).– With tears in his eyes, iconic television host Don Francisco bade farewell on the weekend to the program “Sabado Gigante” after 53 years on the air, a broadcasting run that turned it into a world TV landmark.

In his last appearance before the cameras on the extraordinarily popular program, the 75-year-old Chilean received the prerecorded congratulations of U.S. President Barack Obama for helping “millions of Americans appreciate that the family is No. 1” during the course of his career.

During the course of the three-hour Saturday night broadcast – shown live in the United States, Mexico and Chile – Mario Kreutzberger one last time put his skills, humor and energy on display for the cameras and the international audience.

“Life goes on and so, in closing, I want to say to you: ‘Sabado Gigante,’ so long,” said a sad Don Francisco in putting the final touch on his career as host of a format he created in 1962 in Chile when the show was called “Sabados Alegres.”

He said he was very proud of his team, whom he thanked for their professionalism at a press conference around midnight after the show.

Accompanying Kreutzberger on the show’s last airing was his wife Teresa and a number of their children and grandchildren at the Univision studios in Miami, which has broadcast the show since 1986, bringing it to 43 countries in Latin America and Europe.

“We’re going to miss Don Francisco,” said Mexican singer Espinoza Paz, who – along with many others – called him a “legend.”

Other performers who thanked Don Francisco for his stellar career included Enrique Iglesias, Prince Royce, Juanes, Luis Fonsi, the Tejano group Intocable and Italy’s Laura Pausini.

Marc Anthony, Placido Domingo, Gloria Estefan and Shakira were also among those who expressed their gratitude to – and affection for – Don Francisco. EFE