Resumo
In November 2014 Alexander Grothendieck passed
away at the age of 86. There is no doubt that he was one of the
greatest and most innovative mathematicians of the 20th century.
After a bitter childhood, his meteoric ascent
started in the Cartan Seminar in Paris, it led to a breakthrough while
he worked in S\~{a}o Paulo, and to the Fields Medal.
He introduced numerous new concepts and techniques,
which were involved in the groundbreaking solutions to long-standing
problems. However, dramatic changes were still ahead of him.
In recent years hardly anybody knew where he was living, and even
if he was still alive; he had withdrawn to a modest life in isolation.
Also beyond his achievements in mathematics, Grothendieck was an
extraordinary person. This is a tribute of his fascinating life.