First Lady of Brazil

First Lady of Brazil (Portuguese: Primeira-dama do Brasil) is a title given to the hostess of Alvorada Palace. The position is traditionally filled by the wife of the current President of Brazil, but may apply to women who are not the president's wives, for instance, when the president is single or widowed. They do not have official functions within the government, but usually attend public ceremonies and organize social actions such as charity events. In addition, a charismatic first lady can help convey a positive image of her spouses to the population.

First Lady of Brazil
Current
Rosângela Lula da Silva
since 1 January 2023
StyleDona
ResidencePalácio da Alvorada
Inaugural holderMariana da Fonseca
Formation15 November 1889 (1889-11-15)

The role of the first lady has changed considerably. It has come to include involvement in political campaigns, social causes, and representation of the president on official and ceremonial occasions. In addition, over the years, first ladies have exerted influence in various sectors, from fashion to public opinion on politics.

To date, there have been thirty-seven first ladies, counting twice the wives of Getúlio Vargas and Ranieri Mazzilli, who served two non-consecutive terms each. President Hermes da Fonseca had two first ladies, as he became a widower and remarried while still in office. Presidents Rodrigues Alves and Castelo Branco were widowers, hence their daughters played such a role. Brazil has never had a first gentleman, as every male president has been heterosexual and Dilma Rousseff, the first and only female president to date, had been divorced prior to taking office.

Following the inauguration of Lula on 1 January 2023, his wife Rosângela Lula da Silva became the thirty-seventh Brazilian first lady, succeeding Michelle Bolsonaro, wife of former president Jair Bolsonaro.

Wives who did not become first ladies

  • Alice Prestes, Julio Prestes's wife, did not officially become First Lady, as her husband was prevented from taking office, but he must be a former president under the Law.
  • Mariquita Aleixo, Pedro Aleixo's wife, did not officially become First Lady, as her husband was prevented from taking office, but he must be a former president under the Law.
  • Risoleta Neves, wife of Tancredo Neves, did not officially become First Lady, as her husband died before taking office, but he must be a former president under the law.

Social works

Ruth Cardoso in event of the Solidarity Community Program.

The first ladies occupy a highly visible position in Brazilian society, playing an evolutionary role over the centuries.

Assistance in the country under the command of the Brazilian first lady began in the 1940s, ahead of Darcy Vargas, with the creation of the Brazilian Legion of Assistance. Founded on 28 August 1942 to assist the families of soldiers who participated in World War II, but soon became comprehensive, with emphasis on mothers and families living in poverty. With an entirely feminine style, the LBA was governed in each state by the wives of the governors and, consequently, by the wives of the mayors. From then on, all the first ladies of the country assumed the presidency of honor of the Brazilian Legion of Assistance. But it was under Rosane Collor's management that the LBA plunged into scandals over embezzlement for the first lady's family, which resulted in her leaving the organ in 1991. The Brazilian Legion of Assistance was extinguished on 1 January 1995, under the government of Fernando Henrique Cardoso.

Sarah Kubitschek innovated with the Foundation of Social Pioneers. The organization was created when it was still first lady of Minas Gerais, offering support to children, mothers and pregnant women, extending to the poorest families. The Foundation gained independence when her husband assumed the Presidency of the Republic, acquiring larger resources, originating from the Federal Government and some sectors such as: commerce, industry and individuals.

Marcela Temer in Global Child Forum.

Ruth Cardoso assumed the presidency of the Solidarity Community Program, created in 1995 by the government to combat extreme poverty. The program replaced the extinct bodies of the Brazilian Legion of Assistance and the National Food Security Council. In 2000, she created the non-governmental organization Comunitas, in which she acted until her death, having been the forerunner of one of the largest social programs in the country's history, Bolsa Família. Ruth was still noted for her intellectuality, having been the first wife of a president to earn a university degree.

Shortly after becoming first lady of Brazil, it was announced that Marcela would be the ambassador for the "Happy Child" program, and was officially launched on 5 October 2016 with the Happy Child Program, with Marcela Temer as ambassador. Created by the Federal Government for the care of children from 0 to 3 years of age, with the purpose of accompanying visits to families linked to the Bolsa Familia Program, encouraging early childhood development in education, social assistance, health, human rights and culture.

Michelle Bolsonaro is committed to advocating for visibility of rare diseases, digital inclusion, awareness of autism, inclusion of LIBRAS (Brazilian Sign Language) in schools and other social projects.

First ladies' style

Among the first thirty-seven first ladies, some draw attention for style and elegance. Sarah Kubitschek is considered to this day one of the most elegant, favoring national stylists when the country was rising in the fashion market. Classic in style, elegant and discreet, Sarah used to wear various designers, including Zuzu Angel, Dener Pamplona, Guilherme Guimarães and Mena Fiala, responsible for almost all of Sarah's wardrobe.

Considered by People Magazine the most beautiful first lady in the country and one of the 10 most beautiful first ladies in the world, Maria Thereza Goulart became an icon of Brazilian fashion in the early 60s, and used to wear clothes designed by the then nascent Brazilian haute couture. She became a client of the designer Dener Pamplona de Abreu, who was ultimately responsible for her wardrobe. Her glamorous style drew the interest of Brazilian newspapers and became a trend amongst Brazilian women, who were inspired by her clothing. Maria Thereza was the youngest first lady in the country's history, at the age of twenty-one at the time of her inauguration, having been considered by Time magazine as one of the nine Reigning Beauties in the world. She was considered an icon of Brazilian fashion in the early 60s, with the rise of haute couture in the country, attracting national and international attention, printing several covers of Brazilian magazines such as Manchete, Fatos & Fotos and O Cruzeiro; and world famous such as the French Paris Match and the German Stern.

Becoming first lady, Marcela Temer also drew national attention and became a fashion reference. At the parade on 7 September 2016, she appeared in a simple white dress with a discreet neckline. In less than 24 hours, the dress was already sold out at the online store of Brazilian designer Luisa Farani. With a classic and romantic style, the same dress she wore in her first official act as first lady, repeated in her last official act as first lady, being highly praised and associated with the British Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.

Michelle Bolsonaro has a classic, simple and elegant style. On the day that her husband took office, Michelle was using a model considered simple, but that took 20 days to be made. The medium-length, shoulder-to-shoulder rosé model – inspired by the dresses of former United States First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy and Monaco Princess Grace Kelly generated positive comments. In her everyday life, she usually sports a casual look, mostly wearing jeans, knit shirts and comfortable wearing. She seems to take a like on classic, discreet, neckless pieces, usually wearing black, a fact that made her choose a dress in the same color with round sleeves for the cocktail party at Itamaraty on the night that her husband became president of Brazil. Her stylist is the Paulistana Marie Lafayette, who dresses the first lady at all official events. At an event held by the Planalto Palace in April 2019, Michelle wore a tube and pearl necklace, drawing comparisons to Diana, Princess of Wales.

List of first ladies of Brazil

No. Portrait First Lady Age on assuming function Period President
(wedding date)
1 Mariana da Fonseca
10 February 1826 – 9 April 1905
(79 years)
63 years, 278 days 1889111515 de novembro15 November 1889

23 November 1891
Deodoro da Fonseca
16 April 1860
2 Josina Peixoto
9 August 1857 – 5 November 1911
(54 years)
34 years, 106 days 1891112323 November 1891

15 November 1894
Floriano Peixoto
11 May 1872
3 Adelaide de Morais
17 September 1848 – 8 November 1911
(63 years)
46 years, 59 days 1894111515 November 1894

15 November 1898
Prudente de Moraes
28 May 1866
4 Anna Gabriela Campos Salles
24 January 1850 – 31 July 1919
(69 years)
48 years, 295 days 1898111515 November 1898

15 November 1902
Campos Salles
8 July 1865
5 Catita Rodrigues Alves
5 October 1879 – 5 November 1958
(79 years)
23 years, 41 days 1902111515 November 1902

8 December 1904
Rodrigues Alves
Daughters
Marieta Rodrigues Alves
18 November 1880 – 29 January 1957
(76 years)
24 years, 20 days 19048 December 1904

15 November 1906
6 Guilhermina Penna
21 June 1857 – 14 July 1929
(72 years)
49 years, 147 days 1906111515 November 1906

14 June 1909
Affonso Penna
23 January 1875
7 Anita Peçanha
21 March 1876 – 9 April 1960
(84 years)
33 years, 85 days 1909061414 June 1909

15 November 1910
Nilo Peçanha
6 December 1895
8 Orsina da Fonseca
17 December 1858 – 30 November 1912
(53 years)
51 years, 333 days 1910111515 November 1910

30 November 1912
Hermes da Fonseca
16 April 1979
Vacant; The President was widowed. 1912113030 November 1912

8 December 1913
Hermes da Fonseca
Widower
9 semmoldura Nair de Teffé
10 June 1886 – 10 June 1981
(95 years)
27 years, 181 days 191312088 December 1913

15 November 1914
Hermes da Fonseca
8 December 1913
10 Maria Pereira Gomes
19 August 1875 – 14 August 1925
(49 years)
39 years, 88 days 1914111515 November 1914

15 November 1918
Venceslau Brás
12 September 1892
11 Francisca Ribeiro
9 October 1873 – 18 July 1965
(91 years)
45 years, 37 days 1918111515 November 1918

28 July 1919
Delfim Moreira
11 April 1891
12 Mary Pessoa
3 June 1878 – 31 October 1958
(79 years)
41 years, 55 days 1919072828 July 1919

15 November 1922
Epitácio Pessoa
8 November 1898
13 Clélia Bernardes
4 February 1876 – 10 June 1972
(95 years)
46 years, 284 days 1922111515 November 1922

15 November 1926
Artur Bernardes
15 July 1903
14 Sophia Pais de Barros
27 September 1877 – 28 June 1934
(56 years)
49 years, 49 days 1926111515 November 1926

24 October 1930
Washington Luís
6 March 1900
Alice Prestes
21 October 1887 – 9 June 1940
(52 years)
Júlio Prestes
3 May 1906
Vacant; Brazilian Military Junta of 1930. 1930102424 October 1930

3 November 1930
Brazilian Military Junta of 1930
15 Darcy Vargas
12 December 1895 – 25 June 1968
(72 years)
34 years, 326 days 193011033 November 1930

29 October 1945
Getúlio Vargas
4 March 1911
16 Luzia Linhares
8 June 1887 – 14 September 1969
(82 years)
58 years, 143 days 1945102929 October 1945

31 January 1946
José Linhares
26 April 1913
17 Carmela Dutra
17 September 1884 – 9 October 1947
(63 years)
61 years, 136 days 1946013131 January 1946

9 October 1947
Eurico Gaspar Dutra
19 February 1914
Vacant; The President was widowed. 9 October 1947

31 January 1951
Eurico Gaspar Dutra
Widower
18 Darcy Vargas
12 December 1895 – 25 June 1968
(72 years)
55 years, 50 days 1951013131 January 1951

24 August 1954
Getúlio Vargas
4 March 1911
19 Jandira Café
17 September 1904 – 28 February 1989
(84 years)
49 years, 341 days 1954082424 August 1954

8 November 1955
Café Filho
September, 1931
20 Graciema da Luz
8 January 1903 – 25 February 1983
(80 years)
52 years, 304 days 195511088 November 1955

11 November 1955
Carlos Luz
30 June 1927
21 Beatriz Ramos
9 October 1898 – 1 June 1991
(92 years)
57 years, 33 days 1955111111 November 1955

11 January 1956
Nereu Ramos
15 August 1916
22 Sarah Kubitschek
5 October 1908 – 4 February 1996
(87 years)
47 years, 118 days 1956013131 January 1956

31 January 1961
Juscelino Kubitschek
30 December 1931
23 Eloá Quadros
13 June 1923 – 22 November 1990
(67 years)
37 years, 232 days 1961013131 January 1961

25 August 1961
Jânio Quadros
26 September 1942
24 Sylvia Mazzilli
8 October 1915 – 17 February 2005
(89 years)
45 years, 321 days 1961082525 August 1961

7 September 1961
Ranieri Mazzilli
1933
25 Maria Thereza Goulart
Born (1936-08-23) 23 August 1936
25 years, 25 days 19610907—7 September 1961

2 April 1964
João Goulart
26 April 1955
26 Sylvia Mazzilli
8 October 1915 – 17 February 2005
(89 years)
48 years, 177 days 196404022 April 1964

15 April 1964
Ranieri Mazzilli
1933
27 Antonietta Castello Branco
7 November 1922 – 31 October 2010
(87 years)
41 years, 129 days 15 April 1964

15 March 1967
Castello Branco
Daughter
28 semmoldura Yolanda Costa e Silva
30 October 1907 – 28 July 1991
(83 years)
59 years, 136 days 15 March 1967

31 August 1969
Costa e Silva
22 September 1925
Mariquita Aleixo
7 November 1905 – 21 June 1989
(83 years)
Pedro Aleixo
29 October 1925
Vacant; Brazilian Military Junta of 1969. 31 August 1969

30 October 1969
Brazilian Military Junta of 1969
29 Scylla Médici
4 October 1907 – 25 January 2003
(95 years)
62 years, 26 days 30 October 1969

15 March 1974
Emílio Garrastazu Médici
2 May 1931
30 Lucy Geisel
24 November 1917 – 3 March 2000
(82 years)
56 years, 111 days 15 March 1974

15 March 1979
Ernesto Geisel
10 January 1940
31 semmoldura Dulce Figueiredo
11 May 1928 – 6 June 2011
(83 years)
50 years, 308 days 15 March 1979

15 March 1985
João Figueiredo
15 January 1942
Risoleta Neves
20 July 1917 – 21 September 2003
(86 years)
Tancredo Neves
25 May 1938
32 Marly Sarney
Born (1932-12-04) 4 December 1932
52 years, 101 days 15 March 1985

15 March 1990
José Sarney
12 July 1952
33 Rosane Collor
Born (1964-10-20) 20 October 1964
26 years, 145 days 15 March 1990

29 December 1992
Fernando Collor
1984
Vacant; The President was divorced. 29 December 1992

31 December 1994
Itamar Franco
Divorced
34 Ruth Cardoso
19 September 1930 – 24 June 2008
(77 years)
64 years, 104 days 1 January 1995

31 December 2002
Fernando Henrique Cardoso
February, 1953
35 Marisa Letícia
7 April 1950 – 3 February 2017
(66 years)
52 years, 269 days 1 January 2003

31 December 2010
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
25 May 1974
Vacant; The President was divorced. 1 January 2011

31 August 2016
Dilma Rousseff
Divorced
36 Marcela Temer
Born (1983-05-16) 16 May 1983
33 years, 107 days 31 August 2016

31 December 2018
Michel Temer
26 July 2003
37 Michelle Bolsonaro
Born (1982-03-22) 22 March 1982
36 years, 285 days 1 January 2019

31 December 2022
Jair Bolsonaro
28 November 2007
38 Rosângela Lula da Silva
Born (1966-08-27) 27 August 1966
56 years, 127 days 1 January 2023

present
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
18 May 2022

Other spouses of Brazilian Presidents

Two presidents were widowed before their presidencies:

Three presidents were widowed and remarried before their presidencies:

  • Epitácio Pessoa was married to Francisca Pessoa from 1894 until her death in 1895. He was later married to Mary Pessoa from 1898 until 1942.
  • Carlos Luz was married to Maria José da Luz from 1920 until her death in 1924. He was later married to Graciema da Luz from 1927 until 1961.
  • Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was married to Maria de Lurdes da Silva from 1969 until her death in 1971. He was later married to Marisa Letícia from 1974 until her death in 2017.

Five presidents were divorced before their presidencies:

  • Fernando Collor was married to Lilibeth Monteiro de Carvalho from 1975 to 1981.
  • Itamar Franco was married to Ana Elisa Surerus from 1968 to 1978.
  • Dilma Rousseff was married to Claudio Linhares from 1967 to 1969 and to Carlos Araújo from 1969 to 2000.
  • Michel Temer was married to Maria Célia de Toledo from 1969 to 1987.
  • Jair Bolsonaro was married to Rogéria Nantes Braga and Ana Cristina Valle.

Two presidents remarried after their presidencies:

Wives of the military of the provisional governing boards

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