Michelle Bolsonaro – Wikipedia

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First Lady of Brazil from 2019 to 2022

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Michelle de Paula Firmo Reinaldo Bolsonaro (born 22 March 1982[1][2]) is a former First Lady of Brazil from 2019 to 2022, being the third wife of the 38th President of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro. She succeeded Marcela Temer, wife of former president Michel Temer, and was succeeded by Rosângela Lula da Silva, wife of current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.[3]

Biography[edit]

Family and education[edit]

Born and raised in Ceilândia, administrative region of the Federal District, Michelle de Paula is daughter of Maria das Graças Pereira de Paula Reinaldo and Vicente de Castro Reinaldo. Her father, born in Crateús, Ceará, is a retired bus driver, whose nickname, “Paulo Negão”, became nationally known in Jair Bolsonaro speeches to defend himself from accusations of racism.[4][5] She has a younger stepbrother, Diego de Paula Reinaldo (b. 1988), who is a member of the Brazilian Air Force. Michelle’s father and stepmother Maísa are owners of an event confection and production small business.[6]

She has a high school diploma attained through adult education. She enrolled in university as a pharmacy student, but never took classes. She worked as a salesperson in a clothing store and as a supermarket cashier before working as parliamentary secretary.

Chamber and relationship with Bolsonaro[edit]

Michelle de Paula Firmo Reinaldo worked as an employee of the Chamber of Deputies between 2006 and 2008. She began at the parliamentary office of Deputy Vanderlei Assis (PP-SP), whose term was recommended to be annulled by the Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry for the “Escândalo dos sanguessugas” in August 2006[7][8] Later, he became secretary of Deputy Marco Aurélio Ubiali (PSB-SP). In June 2007, Michelle was nominated for the same position in the leadership of the Progressive Party (PP), remaining until September.[9]

During this period, she had her first contact with her future husband, then federal deputy for the progressives. On September 18, 2007, Michelle became Parliamentary Secretary of Bolsonaro. Just 9 days later, they signed a prenuptial agreement at the 1st Public Registry of Brasilia. After about 6 months of relationship they registered their civil union on November 28, 2007. In 2008, he was dismissed from the position of Parliamentary Secretary after the STF (Supreme Federal Court) understood that the 1988 Constitution prohibited nepotism in Public Administration.[10][11]

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Questions have been raised about checks deposited into Michelle’s bank account by Fabricio Queiroz[12] who has been arrested for allegedly defrauding the government.[13]

Personal life[edit]

Michelle, who prefers to be called by her composite name, Michelle de Paula,[14] has two daughters: Letícia Aguiar, from a previous relationship, and Laura, from her marriage with Jair Bolsonaro.[3]

In 2010, Michelle gave birth to the couple’s daughter, Laura. Her wedding with Bolsonaro, which happened on November 28, 2007, occurred in a party house in Alto da Boa Vista, Rio de Janeiro.[15] At the request of the bride herself, the 150 guest-ceremony was conducted by pastor Silas Malafaia, one of the leaders of the Assembly of God Victory in Christ (Advec), which Bolsonaro was an active member and attendant of until 2016.

The Bolsonaro family lives in a gated community house in Barra da Tijuca, in Rio de Janeiro. In this neighborhood, Bolsonaro has been attending and helping Attitude Baptist Church since she left Advec in 2016, after a temporary misunderstanding between Malafaia and Jair Bolsonaro in the electoral campaign. Despite being a Catholic, Bolsonaro attended the same church with his wife.

On 30 July 2020, Michelle Bolsonaro tested positive for COVID-19, days after her husband said he had recovered from the disease.[16]

Bolsonaro’s presidential campaign[edit]

During most part of the Bolsonaro’s electoral campaign, Bolsonaro didn’t get involved herself actively in rallies supporting her husband candidacy, keeping herself discreet and reserved to the media coverage, but following her husband’s path in the backstage.[citation needed]

Her first public appearance in an electoral ad happened on 25 October 2018, three days before the second round of the 2018 election between Bolsonaro and Fernando Haddad. In the ad, she praised her husband as a “wonderful human being” and “playful”. After the attack against Bolsonaro in Juiz de Fora, on 6 September 2018, Bolsonaro followed her husband during his surgical recovery in Albert Einstein Israeli Hospital, in São Paulo.

Actions as First Lady[edit]

After the disclosure of the results of the second round of the presidential election, on the night of 28 October 2018, Jair Bolsonaro finished his victory speech by thanking Michelle Bolsonaro for her support, for having provided “peace, security and strength” for him to reach his objective, pointing out that he couldn’t have made it without her. He also offered her a minute to speak, but she refused.[17]

The same night of 28 October, the first interview of Michelle Bolsonaro for RecordTV was broadcast, made exclusively by journalist Eduardo Ribeiro, In it, the new First Lady affirmed she wanted to “make a difference” in favour of the country, that she “will keep doing her job helping disabled people” and demonstrated her will to “do missions in the Northeast sertão”.[18][19]

Bolsonaro has highlighted social causes related to people with disabilities, with visibility for rare diseases, digital inclusion, awareness of autism, inclusion of sign language in schools, and other social projects.

Michelle became the first Brazilian first lady to speak at the Palácio do Planalto parliamentary office during a presidential inauguration in sign language. She is a member of the Ministry of the Deaf of the Baptist Church, where she acted as an interpreter of Brazilian Sign Language in services.

In the traditional statement by the President of the Republic on Christmas Eve, on the night of 24 December 2019, for the first time, a First Lady spoke alongside the President on national radio and television broadcast. Michelle, who wore a red shirt with the name “Jesus”, wished a blessed Christmas to all Brazilians and highlighted that “together, with love and dedication, we can build a more just, more inclusive and more supportive Brazil for all”.

Political activities[edit]

During the 2022 presidential election, Michelle was noted for her role as a popular surrogate for her husband’s campaign.[20]

In February 2023, it was reported that Liberal Party figures, including party leader Valdemar Costa Neto, indicated support for nominating Michelle in the 2026 election should Jair Bolsonaro decline to run.[21] Michelle stated that she would not run amid speculation of a possible candidacy.[22]

References[edit]

  1. ^ “Esposa de Bolsonaro é 25 anos mais nova e tem estilo discreto; conheça”. Notícias ao Minuto Brasil. 28 October 2018.
  2. ^ “Michelle Bolsonaro”. Extra. 22 March 2019. Retrieved 24 March 2019.
  3. ^ a b Teixeira, Patricia (28 October 2018). “A mulher dos bastidores: saiba quem é Michelle Bolsonaro, a nova primeira-dama e terceira esposa de Bolsonaro” (in Portuguese). G1. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  4. ^ Borges, Waleska (9 October 2018). “Deputado federal mais votado no Rio foi apadrinhado por Bolsonaro” (in Portuguese). Extra. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  5. ^ Linhares, Juliana (11 April 2018). “A bela da fera, conheça a mulher de Philipi de Assis Marques” (in Portuguese). Folha de S. Paulo. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  6. ^ “Vicenter De Castro Reinaldo” (in Portuguese). Consulta Sócio. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  7. ^ Corrêa, Hudson; Bragon, Ranier (3 June 2006). “Denúncia liga sanguessugas a parlamentares” (in Portuguese). Folha de S. Paulo. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  8. ^ “Denúncia liga sanguessugas a parlamentares”. Folha de S. Paulo. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  9. ^ “Quem é quem na imagem do discurso da vitória de Jair Bolsonaro”. G1. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  10. ^ “Primeira-dama Michelle Bolsonaro quer atuar em trabalhos sociais”. Veja. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  11. ^ “Nove fatos sobre a primeira-dama do Brasil, Michelle Bolsonaro”. UOL. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  12. ^ “Brazil’s Bolsonaro says he wants to punch reporter in face”. Reuters. 23 August 2020.
  13. ^ “Brazil corruption: Police arrest ex-aide to Jair Bolsonaro’s son Flávio”. BBC News. 18 June 2020.
  14. ^ Costa, Liana (13 February 2018). “Esposa de Bolsonaro, ceilandense pode ser primeira-dama do Brasil” (in Portuguese). Metrópoles. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  15. ^ “Michelle ‘invade’ live de Bolsonaro com buquê para comemorar 12 anos de casamento” (in Portuguese). Poder360. 29 November 2019. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
  16. ^ “Michelle Bolsonaro, Brazil’s First Lady, Tests Positive For Coronavirus”. NPR.org.
  17. ^ “Futura primeira-dama, Michelle Bolsonaro é filha de cearense de Crateús” (in Portuguese). O Povo. 29 October 2018. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  18. ^ Guiame (29 October 2018). “Nova primeira-dama, Michelle Bolsonaro quer fazer missões e projetos sociais”. Guiame. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
  19. ^ Notícia, J. M. (29 October 2018). “Michelle Bolsonaro fala sobre sonho de fazer missões no Nordeste”. JM NOTÍCIA (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 31 January 2019.
  20. ^ “Michelle Bolsonaro: How Brazil’s first lady went from favela to presidential palace”. Le Monde.fr. 1 October 2022. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  21. ^ Moreira, João Almeida (5 February 2023). “Partido de Bolsonaro prepara candidatura de Michelle em 2026”. Diário de Notícias (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 19 March 2023.
  22. ^ “Michelle Bolsonaro descarta su candidatura para 2026”. Grupo R Multimedio (in Spanish). 18 February 2023. Retrieved 19 March 2023.

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