Dozens of admirers are saying goodbye to legendary Puerto Rico astrologer Walter Mercado, who was a TV star and an icon in the gay community beloved by millions in the U.S. and across Latin America.

Mercado lay in his coffin on Wednesday wearing a velvet suit that ranged from his favorite color, violet, to dark blue as a petite woman stood nearby, transfixed by a screen that showed pictures of him as she wiped away tears.

She was among the dozens of admirers who stopped by a funeral home in the capital of San Juan to pay their respects. Fans ranged from elderly women with pearl earrings and immaculate manicures to people in their 40s wearing faded tank tops and sneakers.

A cape worn by the late television astrologer Walter Mercado is on display during a public wake in the Santurce neighborhood, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019. Mercado, whose glamorous persona made him a star in Latin media and a cherished icon for gay people in most of the Spanish-speaking world, died Saturday. He was 88. (AP PhotoCarlos Giusti)

A cape worn by the late television astrologer Walter Mercado is on display during a public wake in the Santurce neighborhood, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019. Mercado, whose glamorous persona made him a star in Latin media and a cherished icon for gay people in most of the Spanish-speaking world, died Saturday. He was 88. (AP PhotoCarlos Giusti)

Mercado died late Saturday from kidney failure.

High fashion designer Carlota Alfaro arrives for the public wake of the late television astrologer Walter Mercado, in the Santurce neighborhood, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019. Mercado, whose glamorous persona made him a star in Latin media and a cherished icon for gay people in most of the Spanish-speaking world, died Saturday. He was 88. (AP PhotoCarlos Giusti)

High fashion designer Carlota Alfaro arrives for the public wake of the late television astrologer Walter Mercado, in the Santurce neighborhood, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019. Mercado, whose glamorous persona made him a star in Latin media and a cherished icon for gay people in most of the Spanish-speaking world, died Saturday. He was 88. (AP PhotoCarlos Giusti)

 The coffin containing the remains of television astrologer Walter Mercado is blanketed with lilies and roses during a public wake, in the Santurce neighborhood, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019. Mercado, whose glamorous persona made him a star in Latin media and a cherished icon for gay people in most of the Spanish-speaking world, died Saturday. He was 88. (AP PhotoCarlos Giusti)

The coffin containing the remains of television astrologer Walter Mercado is blanketed with lilies and roses during a public wake, in the Santurce neighborhood, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019. Mercado, whose glamorous persona made him a star in Latin media and a cherished icon for gay people in most of the Spanish-speaking world, died Saturday. He was 88. (AP PhotoCarlos Giusti)

 Framed images of television astrologer Walter Mercado are displayed in front of the coffin that contain his remains during a public wake, in the Santurce neighborhood, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019. Mercado, whose glamorous persona made him a star in Latin media and a cherished icon for gay people in most of the Spanish-speaking world, died Saturday. He was 88. (AP PhotoCarlos Giusti)

Framed images of television astrologer Walter Mercado are displayed in front of the coffin that contain his remains during a public wake, in the Santurce neighborhood, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019. Mercado, whose glamorous persona made him a star in Latin media and a cherished icon for gay people in most of the Spanish-speaking world, died Saturday. He was 88. (AP PhotoCarlos Giusti)