Walter Mercado, famed Puerto Rican TV astrologer, died Saturday night at Auxilio Mutuo Hospital in San Juan, according to the hospital’s spokesperson, Sofia Luquis. He was 87.
According to Telemundo PR, the cause of death was “apparent renal failure.”
Mercado was born on a ship traveling from Spain to Puerto Rico, according to a biography published by Puerto Rico’s Foundation for Popular Culture. He believed at an early age that he had spiritual abilities, including the powers of astrology.
Although he began his career as a telenovela actor, he took on his most famous job in 1969 when a guest did not show up for a Telemundo program.