Famous Brazilian Presidents

Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira was a Brazilian politician who served as the 21st president of Brazil from 1956 to 1961. Known for his government plan "50 years in 5", Kubitschek focused on economic and social development, leading to notable economic growth and political stability. He was responsible for the construction of Brazil's new capital, Brasília, inaugurated in 1960. Kubitschek also held various positions including mayor of Belo Horizonte and governor of Minas Gerais before his presidency.

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, also known as Lula, is a Brazilian politician and former metalworker who rose to prominence as a trade unionist. He co-founded the Workers' Party during Brazil's political opening and led workers' strikes against the military dictatorship. Lula served as the 35th and 39th president of Brazil, implementing social welfare programs and economic reforms that lifted millions out of poverty. Despite facing corruption charges and prison time, he made a political comeback, winning the 2022 presidential election.

Ernesto Geisel was a Brazilian Army officer and politician who served as President of Brazil from 1974 to 1979, a period marked by the Brazilian military dictatorship. Geisel played a key role in the country's political landscape, implementing economic reforms and overseeing the transition towards a more open political system. His tenure was characterized by efforts to restore civilian rule, improve Brazil's international standing, and address socio-economic challenges. Geisel's leadership left a lasting impact on Brazil's history and political development.

Itamar Augusto Cautiero Franco was a Brazilian politician who served as the 33rd president of Brazil from 1992 to 1995. Prior to his presidency, he was the 21st vice president of Brazil. Throughout his career, Franco also held positions as a Senator, Mayor, Ambassador, and Governor. At the time of his death, he was serving as a senator from Minas Gerais, a seat he won in the 2010 election. Franco had a long and distinguished political career in Brazil.

Artur da Costa e Silva was a Brazilian Army Marshal who served as the 27th president of Brazil during the military dictatorship following the 1964 coup d'état. He reached the rank of Marshal of the Brazilian Army and held the post of Minister of War in President Castelo Branco's government. Costa e Silva's presidency was marked by the enactment of Institutional Act 5, which granted him extensive powers to suppress political opposition, leading to a period of severe repression against left-wing dissidents and suspected communists.

Manuel Deodoro da Fonseca was a Brazilian military officer and politician who played a significant role in the country's history. He led a military coup that removed Emperor Pedro II and established the First Brazilian Republic in 1889. Fonseca served as the first president of Brazil after his election in 1891 but faced political pressure and dissolved the National Congress, leading to his resignation. His professional life was marked by his military career, political leadership, and his pivotal role in the transition from the Brazilian Empire to the republic.

Francisco de Paula Rodrigues Alves was a prominent Brazilian politician and public servant. He served in various governmental roles, including as president of the Province of São Paulo, Treasury minister, and as Brazil's fifth president. Known for his city planning and financial acumen, he played a key role in modernizing Rio de Janeiro. Despite his achievements, his second presidential term was cut short by his death in the 1918 influenza pandemic. Rodrigues Alves left a lasting legacy in Brazilian politics and urban development.

Michel Temer is a Brazilian politician, lawyer, and writer who served as the 37th President of Brazil from August 2016 to January 2019. Prior to becoming president, Temer held the position of Vice President of Brazil from 2011 and assumed the role of acting president in May 2016 following the suspension of Dilma Rousseff. During his presidency, Temer focused on implementing reforms such as overhauling the pension system and labor laws, as well as curbing public spending, amidst low public approval ratings and calls for his resignation.

João Baptista de Oliveira Figueiredo was a Brazilian military leader and politician who served as the 30th president of Brazil from 1979 to 1985, marking the end of the military regime that began with the 1964 coup d'état. He previously held the position of chief of the Secret Service (SNI) during Ernesto Geisel's presidency. Figueiredo continued Geisel's efforts towards redemocratization, granting amnesty for political crimes, but faced challenges such as economic crises and public discontent with military rule, leading to significant protests for direct elections.

Washington Luís Pereira de Sousa was a Brazilian politician who served as the 13th president of Brazil. He was elected governor of São Paulo state in 1920 and later became president of Brazil in 1926. As a member of the Republican Party of São Paulo (PRP), he was the last president of the First Brazilian Republic. His presidency faced challenges during the Great Depression, leading to a loss of support. He selected Júlio Prestes as his successor, but was overthrown in a coup d'etat during the Brazilian Revolution of 1930.

Eurico Gaspar Dutra was a Brazilian military leader and politician who served as the 16th president of Brazil from 1946 to 1951. He played a significant role in establishing the Fourth Brazilian Republic after the Vargas Regime. Dutra focused on stabilizing the economy, implementing conservative policies, and strengthening Brazil's relationship with the United States. His administration also saw the establishment of the National Security Council and the signing of a military assistance agreement with the U.S. to modernize the Brazilian armed forces.

Jair Messias Bolsonaro is a Brazilian politician and retired military officer who served as the 38th president of Brazil from 2019 to 2023. He began his career in the Brazilian Army in 1973 and later transitioned into politics, serving as a member of Brazil's Chamber of Deputies for nearly three decades. Known for his national conservatism, Bolsonaro won the 2018 presidential election, focusing on economically liberal policies. His presidency was marked by controversial actions, including environmental deregulation, mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic, and allegations of planning a self-coup.

Dilma Rousseff is a Brazilian economist and politician who served as the 36th president of Brazil from 2011 until her impeachment in 2016. She was the first woman to hold the Brazilian presidency. Prior to becoming president, she held various political positions, including serving as the chief of staff to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Rousseff was involved in left-wing and Marxist guerrilla groups during the military dictatorship and later joined the Workers' Party. Her political career was marked by significant achievements and controversies, ultimately leading to her impeachment in 2016.

José Sarney is a Brazilian politician, lawyer, and writer who served as the 31st president of Brazil from 1985 to 1990. He was a member of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, as well as the Governor of Maranhão. During the military dictatorship, he was affiliated with the government party ARENA before joining the Liberal Front Party. Sarney became President after the death of Tancredo Neves, facing challenges such as the Brazilian debt crisis. He continued his political career in the Senate and as President of the Federal Senate.

Fernando Collor de Mello is a Brazilian politician who served as the 32nd president of Brazil from 1990 to 1992. He was the first democratically elected president after the military dictatorship. Collor resigned amidst a corruption scandal and was later impeached by the Senate. Following his presidency, he faced legal challenges but was acquitted of criminal charges. Collor later served as a Senator for Alagoas and was accused of corruption involving bribes from Petrobras subsidiary BR Distributor.

Fernando Henrique Cardoso is a notable Brazilian sociologist, professor, and politician. He served as the 34th president of Brazil from 1995 to 2003, becoming the first to be reelected for a subsequent term. Cardoso is renowned for his expertise in dependency theory, with a focus on slavery and political theory. Throughout his career, he has received prestigious honors such as the Prince of Asturias Award for International Cooperation and the Kluge Prize from the US Library of Congress. Additionally, Cardoso held the position of the 10th president of the International Sociological Association from 1982 to 1986.