Walter Mercado

Early years

Mercado was born on 9 March 1932, in Ponce, Puerto Rico, where he spent his early childhood. His parents were José María Mercado, from San Germán, Puerto Rico, and Aída Salinas from Catalonia, Spain. Mercado attended university majoring in pedagogy, psychology and pharmacy, and used these skills to teach others, to study the human mind and to learn about the healing properties of medicinal plants.

Dancer

Mercado Salinas also studied singing and had a talent for dancing. He also studied classic ballet, as well as modern ballet. He was one of the most prolific dancers in Puerto Rico. He was the dancing partner of comedian Velda González.

Actor

Walter Mercado worked as an actor in the Puerto Rican telenovelas Un adiós en el recuerdo (A Farewell to the Memory) and Larga distancia (Long Distance), and also had a dramatic arts school called Walter Actors Studio 64.

Astrologer

His debut as a TV entertainer came when in a TV program by Puerto Rican producer Elín Ortíz, in the Telemundo network an invited artist did not show up. Walter Mercado happened to have been at the station and Ortiz asked Mercado to use up the artist's 15-minute allotment to make some astrological predictions wearing some fancy robes. After that, Mercado was made a regular with the predictions.

In 1970, Mercado started his regular astrology segment in El Show de las 12. He enhanced his studies with formal study into astrology, tarot, and other occult sciences. Mercado hosted a weekly astrology television show at WKAQ-TV, Channel 2/Telemundo. After several years, when the network changed its programming, Mercado moved his show to WRIK-TV (channel 7 in Ponce) where he hosted it for many years. Westinghouse was a steady and long-time sponsor. In the 1980s, his show was seen in several TV channels throughout Latin America and the United States. When Tommy Muñiz bought WRIK-TV, Mercado stayed for two years then moved his show to WKBM-TV, Channel 11/Tele Once (later renamed WLII-TV/Univision). In addition to the TV programs, Mercado also wrote his predictions for newspapers, magazines, and web pages. He was a syndicated writer in the Miami Herald. He also appears on various radio segments.

In 1986 Mercado was awarded the title Mr. Televisión by the Asociación de Cronistas del Espectáculo de Nueva York (Association of Latin Entertainment Critics of New York). By the end of the 1980s, Mercado had authored seven books, of which one, "Más allá del horizonte" (Beyond the Horizon), being published in three languages (Spanish, English and Portuguese).

From the mid 1990s until 2010, Mercado's show aired in the Univision network throughout the Americas, but on 8 January 2010, after a fifteen-year relationship, he announced that he and Univision have parted ways. He is currently managed by entrepreneur Bill Bakula. From 1994 to 2009, he also appeared on Primer Impacto, which airs on the Univision network in the United States.

In 2014, Walter Mercado established a business partnership with Entertainment Events AZ, a Phoenix-based marketing and mobile application Development Company. In 2014 he introduced his dating site ww.passionlatinos.com and his “Línea Cautivadora”, which consists of Zodiac Soaps, body lotions, body mists, aromatic candles, and beaded jewelry. On 2 February 2015, Walter Mercado and Entertainment Events AZ launched www.waltermercado.com. The site was developed to allow Mercado’s millions of fans an opportunity to hear their daily horoscopes, get tarot readings, zodiac compatibility, predictions and ask Walter Mercado questions. His www.waltermercado.com website received over 1 million visits in the first month.

In May 2015, Walter Mercado and Entertainment Events AZ launched mobile applications for IOS (iTunes) and the Android market. In less than two months the applications were ranked #2 in Mexico for entertainment applications and 144th in the United States. In October 2015 Mercado announced his 2016 predictions available in his official page waltermercado.com

Mercado continues to do public appearances while his www.passionlatinos.com and www.waltermercado.com web property and mobile applications are managed by Entertainment Events AZ.

Name change

In October 2010, Mercado changed his name to "Shanti Ananda", a translation in Sanskrit of "peace happiness." He says a "being of light" imparted a spiritual revelation to him, which he refers to as his "authentic mystic name."

Legal challenge

In January 2012, Mercado lost a lawsuit against Bart Enterprises International, for which he was trying to prevent from using his name and likeness in future commercial ventures. Mercado, who signed a contract with the company in 1995 severed with the company in 2006, which resulted in litigation being filed by both parties against each other. Chief Judge Sandra Lynch of the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit ruled that Bart Enterprises can continue using Mercado's name and likeness in future commercial projects. When asked about his legal case over the rights to his name he replied, "I worked for many years, and gave some releases without thinking much about human wickedness."

Personal life

In 2003 he announced that he maintained a "spiritual relationship" with the Brazilian actress and dancer Mariette Detotto, with whom he shared a TV program. He always maintained his residence in Puerto Rico.

Health condition and recovery

In January 2012, Mercado was flown to Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, with cardiac problems. He said he "had gone and seen death and came back to life again". Since the experience he said he has changed. He said he wants to work with Puerto Rican youth, plans to establish the Shanti Ananda foundation, create a mystic center, and donate three of his lavish capes to a museum. Most of his sumptuous capes had already been sold at auctions.

Accolades

Television

Theatrical

Discography

Filmography

Books