Tini’s Disney Farewell: Career Promotion and Heartbreak
Diego Lerner,Disney Executive and Key Figure in Tini Stoessel’s Career,Dies at 65
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Updated December 21,2025,11:46 AM PST
A Legacy in Latin american Entertainment
Diego Lerner,a pivotal executive at The Walt Disney company for nearly 35 years,died on December 18,2024,at the age of 65,following a battle with cancer. his passing has been met with widespread grief within the entertainment industry, marking the end of an era for a generation influenced by his work.
Lerner spearheaded Disney’s expansion throughout Latin America and Europe, earning recognition for his innovative vision and artistic sensibility. He was known as a respected and beloved figure both within and outside the corporate world.
Close Ties too the Stoessel Family
Lerner maintained a strong relationship with the Stoessel family, particularly with Alejandro Stoessel, producer and father of singer martina ”Tini” Stoessel. This connection proved instrumental in launching several notable projects, most notably the Disney Channel series Violetta.
Lerner conceived and developed Violetta, which premiered in 2012 and propelled Tini Stoessel to international stardom. Fans affectionately remember him as “Violetta’s dad,” recognizing his early belief in the young performer’s potential.
Tini Stoessel’s tribute
Tini Stoessel publicly mourned lerner’s death on social media, sharing a black and white photograph of him with a heartfelt message. She expressed her gratitude for his unwavering support throughout her career, acknowledging his role in helping her pursue her dreams.
“I’m going to miss you. Thank you for accompanying me every step of the way, helping me dream and having been so vital in my life,” Stoessel wrote. She concluded with a touching tribute: “You are going to live forever in my heart. I love you very, very much.”