BRASILIA (Reuters) - Brazilian billionaire Abilio Diniz, who built an empire in the supermarket retail sector, died on Sunday in Sao Paulo, according to his press office. The 87-year-old had been hospitalized at the Albert Einstein Hospital and suffered respiratory failure due to pneumonitis, his press office said in a statement. Diniz played a pivotal role in the history of Brazilian retail, serving most recently as vice-chairman of Carrefour Brasil and as a board member of the French group Carrefour. Diniz remained with the company he founded until 2013, when he took over as chairman of Brazilian food processor BRF, where he served for five years. Photos You Should See View All 33 ImagesIn 2014, Diniz acquired a stake in Carrefour Brasil through his private investment company Peninsula.

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Persons: Abilio Diniz, Diniz, Pao de, Marcela Ayres, Chris Reese Organizations: Reuters, Albert Einstein Hospital, Carrefour Brasil, Carrefour, Forbes Locations: BRASILIA, Sao Paulo, French, Carrefour Brasil