Gabriel Diniz Biography: Real Name, Death, Songs, Age, Net Worth, Height, Girlfriend

José Gabriel de Souza Diniz, professionally known as Gabriel Diniz, is a Brazilian singer-songwriter whose vibrant forró and swingueira-infused pop tracks captured the spirit of Northeast Brazil.

Rising from college gigs to national stardom, he blended percussion-driven rhythms with heartfelt lyrics on love and everyday joys, releasing three albums in his brief career.

Diniz skyrocketed to fame with the infectious hit “Jenifer” in 2018, which dominated radios and streams as Brazil’s summer anthem of 2019, amassing hundreds of millions of views and earning him a devoted following before his untimely death at 28.

Profile

• Full Name: José Gabriel de Souza Diniz
• Stage Name: Gabriel Diniz
• Born: 18 October 1990
• Died: 27 May 2019
• Age: 28 years old
• Birthplace: Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
• Nationality: Brazilian
• Occupation: Singer, Songwriter
• Height: Unknown
• Parents: Unknown
• Siblings: Unknown
• Girlfriends: Karoline Calheiros
• Children: None
• Relationship: Dating
• Net Worth: $5 million

Early Life and Education

José Gabriel de Souza Diniz was born on October 18, 1990, in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.

He relocated with his family to João Pessoa, Paraíba, in the Northeast, where he spent his formative years.

Little is publicly known about his parents or siblings.

Diniz pursued studies in electrical engineering at a local college but discovered his passion for music during campus parties, where he first performed.

He did not complete a formal degree, instead channeling his energy into songwriting and performance.

His ethnicity reflected Brazil’s diverse mix, primarily Portuguese and Indigenous influences, and his religious beliefs remain unknown.

Career

Gabriel Diniz launched his musical path in the early 2000s as a teenager, forming the band Cavaleiros do Forró in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, around 2001.

The group gained traction in Brazil’s Northeast with lively forró tracks, releasing albums like O Filme ao Vivo em Natal and Ao Vivo em Caruaru that celebrated regional sounds.

By 2013, Diniz rebranded the band under his own name, marking a shift toward solo artistry while blending traditional forró with swingueira’s upbeat percussion.

His debut single “Acabou Acabou” in 2017, featuring Wesley Safadão, hinted at his potential, but it was grassroots performances that built his initial fanbase among partygoers and radio listeners.

Diniz’s breakthrough arrived with GD in 2017, followed by the live album Gabriel Diniz Na Ilha in 2018, showcasing his knack for crafting relatable anthems.

Tracks like “Paraquedas” and “Pouca Roupa” climbed charts, but “Jenifer”—a playful ode to a Tinder fling—exploded in late 2018, topping Brazil’s airplay and streaming lists with over 237 million YouTube views.

The song’s viral success turned him into a household name, filling arenas and earning spots on shows like Domingão do Faustão.

Collaborations with artists such as Maiara & Maraisa on “Liga E Chora” expanded his reach, while his energetic stage presence solidified his role as a forró innovator bridging generations.

Gabriel Diniz’s final album, Acústico in 2019, stripped down his hits for intimate vibes, including a poignant “Jenifer” rendition that resonated deeply.

Posthumous releases like “Erro Preferido” kept his catalog alive, with tributes from peers flooding the airwaves.

His fusion of genres influenced emerging Northeast talents, and “Jenifer” endures as a cultural staple at festivals.

Diniz’s legacy lies in his unfiltered joy and authenticity, inspiring songwriters to root global pop in local rhythms, ensuring his voice echoes through Brazil’s music scene long after his passing.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @gabrieldiniz (managed by estate)
• Facebook Handle: Gabriel Diniz
• Twitter Handle: Unknown

Personal Life

Gabriel Diniz was in a relationship with model and influencer Karoline Calheiros, but was not married.

There is no public information indicating that he had any children.

He tragically died in a plane crash in May 2019.

At the time of his death, he was on his way to surprise his girlfriend for her birthday.

Discography

• GD (2017)
• Gabriel Diniz Na Ilha (Ao Vivo) (2018)
• Acústico (2019)
• Jenifer (2018)
• Acabou Acabou (feat. Wesley Safadão) (2017)
• Paraquedas (2018)
• Liga E Chora (feat. Maiara & Maraisa) (2019)

Net Worth

Gabriel Diniz amassed an estimated net worth of $5 million before his death.

His fortune built mainly from explosive streams and sales of “Jenifer,” live tours packing Northeast venues, and Universal Music deals, with royalties sustaining his estate through ongoing popularity.