Jair Bolsonaro

Jair Bolsonaro
Born	Jair Messias Bolsonaro 3/21/1955
Birthplace	Glicério, São Paulo, Brazil
Nationality	Brazilian
Occupation	Politician, former military officer
Title	President of Brazil (2019–2023)
Known for	38th President of Brazil
Education	Military Academy of Agulhas Negras
Spouse(s)	Michelle Bolsonaro

Jair Messias Bolsonaro (born 21 March 1955) is a Brazilian politician and former military officer who served as the 38th president of Brazil from 1 January 2019 to 1 January 2023. Before ascending to the presidency, Bolsonaro served as a member of the Chamber of Deputies representing the state of Rio de Janeiro for 27 years, from 1991 to 2019, and before that as a councillor in Rio de Janeiro's Municipal Chamber. A figure of deep polarization in Brazilian politics, Bolsonaro built his political career on national conservatism, vocal opposition to same-sex marriage and abortion, and calls for tougher law enforcement. His presidency was marked by economic recovery efforts following Brazil's prolonged recession, sharp reductions in crime during his first year, controversy over his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the rollback of environmental protections in the Amazon rainforest. After losing the 2022 presidential election to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Bolsonaro faced accusations of attempting to undermine democratic institutions. In June 2023, the Superior Electoral Court barred him from seeking office until 2030. In November 2024, he was indicted by the Federal Police on charges related to an alleged coup plot. In September 2025, Brazil's Supreme Court convicted him, and he began serving a 27-year prison sentence in November 2025.

Early Life

Jair Messias Bolsonaro was born on 21 March 1955 in Glicério, a small municipality in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. He came from a family of modest means in the rural interior of São Paulo state. Bolsonaro entered the Brazilian Army in 1973 and pursued a military career that would shape much of his political identity and worldview.

His military service took him through the ranks of the Brazilian armed forces during a period in which the country was governed by a military dictatorship (1964–1985). Bolsonaro graduated from the Military Academy of Agulhas Negras (Academia Militar das Agulhas Negras) in 1977, earning a commission as an officer. His time in the military left a lasting imprint on his political philosophy; throughout his subsequent career in politics, Bolsonaro frequently expressed admiration for aspects of Brazil's military dictatorship and advocated for a strong role for the armed forces in national life.

In 1986, while still serving as a military officer, Bolsonaro attracted national attention when he wrote an article for the magazine Veja in which he criticized the low wages paid to military officers. The article provoked a strong reaction from military leadership, and Bolsonaro was arrested and detained for fifteen days as a result. The incident marked an early demonstration of his willingness to court controversy and defy institutional authority — traits that would come to define his political career. Military records from the period reportedly described Bolsonaro as "aggressive" and possessing "excessive ambition." Shortly after the Veja incident, Bolsonaro left the army and turned to electoral politics.

Education

Bolsonaro's formal education was centered on his military training. He entered the Brazilian Army in 1973 and graduated from the Military Academy of Agulhas Negras in 1977. The academy, located in Resende, Rio de Janeiro state, is Brazil's principal institution for training army officers and has produced numerous figures in Brazilian military and political life. No additional details regarding civilian higher education have been confirmed in available sources.

Career

Early Political Career (1988–2002)

After leaving the army, Bolsonaro launched his political career in Rio de Janeiro. In 1988, he was elected as a councillor (vereador) to the Municipal Chamber of Rio de Janeiro, representing the Christian Democratic Party (PDC). He served in this position from January 1989 to January 1991.

In 1990, Bolsonaro was elected to the federal Chamber of Deputies as a representative for the state of Rio de Janeiro, beginning what would become a 27-year tenure as a congressman. During his time in the Chamber, he affiliated with numerous political parties over the years, including the PDC (1988–1993), the Progressive Party (PP) in various iterations (1993, 1995–2003, 2005–2016), the Brazilian Labour Party (PTB, 2003–2005), the Liberal Front Party (PFL, 2005), and the Social Christian Party (PSC, 2016–2018).

Throughout his early decades in the Chamber of Deputies, Bolsonaro carved out a niche as a provocative, media-savvy figure on Brazil's political right. He consistently advocated for law and order, championed the interests of the military and police, and expressed nostalgia for elements of the 1964–1985 military dictatorship. Despite his high profile, his legislative record was sparse; an analysis by the newspaper O Estado de S. Paulo found that Bolsonaro had managed to pass only two bills during his 26 years in Congress as of the time of reporting.

Rise to National Prominence

Bolsonaro's national profile grew significantly during the political upheavals of the 2010s. As Brazil's left-leaning Workers' Party (PT) became mired in the massive Lava Jato (Car Wash) corruption scandal and the country endured a severe economic crisis beginning in 2014, Bolsonaro positioned himself as an anti-establishment figure who channeled public frustration.

During the 2016 impeachment proceedings against President Dilma Rousseff, Bolsonaro gained widespread attention — and condemnation — when he dedicated his vote in favor of impeachment to the memory of Colonel Carlos Alberto Brilhante Ustra, a figure associated with torture during the military dictatorship. The gesture was considered deeply offensive by many Brazilians, particularly those who had suffered under the military regime, but it solidified his standing with his far-right base.

Throughout this period, Bolsonaro made a series of remarks on social issues that drew both domestic and international attention. His comments about women, racial minorities, and LGBT individuals provoked sharp criticism. In one widely reported incident, he made remarks to a fellow congresswoman that were described as threatening and misogynistic, leading to his conviction for insulting her, though this was later overturned on appeal. The Intercept described him in 2014 as among the most polarizing elected officials in the democratic world.

Bolsonaro cultivated support among evangelical Christians, a rapidly growing demographic in Brazil. His opposition to abortion, same-sex marriage, and secularism resonated with conservative religious voters, and evangelical leaders emerged as a key pillar of his political coalition. By 2017, commentators were comparing his political style to that of Donald Trump in the United States and speculating about a viable presidential campaign. The Economist similarly analyzed his prospects as a right-wing demagogue who might win the 2018 election.

During this period, Bolsonaro also began to shift his economic rhetoric. Historically not known for detailed economic policy positions, he adopted a more market-friendly, economically liberal stance in preparation for his presidential bid, a move that was well-received by Brazilian investors and business interests.

2018 Presidential Campaign

In 2018, Bolsonaro entered the presidential election as a candidate for the Social Liberal Party (PSL). His campaign emphasized anti-corruption rhetoric, tough-on-crime policies, economic liberalization, and social conservatism. He drew support from a broad coalition that included the military, evangelical Christians, agribusiness interests, and Brazilians disaffected with the Workers' Party.

On 6 September 2018, while campaigning in Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Bolsonaro was stabbed by an attacker while being carried on supporters' shoulders. The assassination attempt left him with serious abdominal injuries and required emergency surgery. The attack generated an outpouring of sympathy and further elevated his profile in the final weeks of the campaign.

Bolsonaro led the first round of voting on 7 October 2018, receiving the largest share of votes but falling short of the majority required for outright victory. In the runoff election on 28 October, he defeated Fernando Haddad of the Workers' Party to win the presidency.

Presidency (2019–2023)

Bolsonaro took office on 1 January 2019, with Hamilton Mourão serving as vice president. He succeeded Michel Temer, who had assumed the presidency following the impeachment of Dilma Rousseff.

Economic Policy

In his first months in office, Bolsonaro focused heavily on domestic affairs, particularly addressing the lingering effects of the economic crisis that had begun in 2014. He appointed Paulo Guedes, a University of Chicago-trained economist, as Minister of Economy, signaling a commitment to market-oriented reforms including pension reform, privatization, and deregulation. The economy recovered slowly during his first year in office.

Crime and Security

Crime rates fell sharply during Bolsonaro's first year as president, a trend he and his supporters attributed to his administration's tougher approach to law enforcement and public security. Bolsonaro had long advocated for relaxing gun control laws and empowering police, and his government took steps in both directions during his term.

Environment

Bolsonaro's environmental record became one of the most internationally scrutinized aspects of his presidency. He rolled back protections for Indigenous groups in the Amazon rainforest and facilitated its deforestation. His government weakened environmental enforcement agencies and opened protected lands to agricultural and mining interests. Rates of deforestation in the Amazon increased during his tenure, drawing condemnation from environmental organizations and foreign governments.

COVID-19 Pandemic

Bolsonaro's response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil became a defining — and deeply contentious — element of his presidency. As the virus spread through Brazil, Bolsonaro sought to downplay its severity, opposed quarantine measures and lockdowns, promoted unproven treatments, and clashed repeatedly with state governors who imposed restrictions. He dismissed two health ministers who had advocated for science-based responses to the crisis. Brazil's death toll from COVID-19 became one of the highest in the world, and Bolsonaro's handling of the pandemic drew criticism from across the political spectrum, including from former allies.

Foreign Policy

In foreign affairs, Bolsonaro pursued closer relations with Israel and the United States, particularly during the administration of Donald Trump. He signaled strong ideological alignment with Trump on issues ranging from trade to cultural conservatism. Later in his presidency, Bolsonaro also made efforts to improve relations with the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa), reflecting a more pragmatic approach to international diplomacy as economic pressures mounted.

2022 Election Defeat and Aftermath

In the 2022 general election, Bolsonaro was defeated by former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who won the runoff vote on 30 October 2022. In the weeks following the election, Bolsonaro declined to formally concede, though he eventually authorized the transition of power. He departed Brazil for the United States before Lula's inauguration on 1 January 2023.

On 8 January 2023, one week after Lula took office, a mob of Bolsonaro supporters stormed the buildings of Brazil's Congress, the Supreme Court, and the Presidential Palace in Brasília, calling for a coup d'état. The events drew comparisons to the storming of the United States Capitol on 6 January 2021. Brazilian authorities subsequently arrested hundreds of participants and launched investigations into the planning and financing of the insurrection.

Legal Proceedings and Conviction

On 30 June 2023, the Superior Electoral Court ruled to bar Bolsonaro from seeking public office until 2030, finding that he had attempted to undermine the validity of the 2022 election through unfounded claims of voter fraud and had abused his power by using government communication channels to both promote his campaign and allege fraud.

In November 2024, Bolsonaro was indicted by the Federal Police of Brazil on multiple charges related to the alleged planning of a coup to prevent the transfer of power to Lula. Testimony from military officials indicated that Bolsonaro had planned a self-coup with the military to keep himself in power.

On 11 September 2025, Brazil's Supreme Court delivered a majority vote to convict Bolsonaro over the coup plot. He was sentenced to 27 years in prison. On 25 November 2025, Bolsonaro began serving his sentence at a prison facility in Brasília.

As of March 2026, Bolsonaro remained imprisoned. His lawyers petitioned the Supreme Court to allow a visit from Darren Beattie, a Trump administration adviser, while Bolsonaro was held in a Brasília prison.

Personal Life

Bolsonaro has been married three times. His current wife is Michelle Bolsonaro, who served as First Lady of Brazil during his presidency. He has five children, several of whom have entered politics. His eldest son, Flávio Bolsonaro, has served as a senator representing Rio de Janeiro and, as of early 2026, was seeing a surge in support in opinion polls ahead of Brazil's October 2026 elections.

Bolsonaro is a Roman Catholic who has cultivated strong ties with Brazil's evangelical Christian community. He has been a vocal opponent of same-sex marriage, abortion, affirmative action, drug liberalization, and secularism throughout his career. He has also expressed admiration for aspects of Brazil's 1964–1985 military dictatorship and has defended the use of torture in certain circumstances, positions that have drawn sustained criticism from human rights organizations.

Recognition

Bolsonaro's political career has been characterized more by controversy than by conventional honors. He did not receive significant awards or formal recognition from mainstream institutions during his time in office. Rather, his presidency was the subject of intense scrutiny by international media, human rights organizations, and environmental groups.

Domestically, Bolsonaro was widely covered in Brazilian media throughout his career, from his early days as a provocative congressman to his presidency and subsequent legal proceedings. The New York Times profiled his rise as a conservative star tapping into public discontent in 2016, while The Economist analyzed his potential to become Brazil's version of Donald Trump.

His conviction and sentencing in 2025 were described as historic by international media. NPR characterized the Supreme Court verdict as "a historic conviction" that represented a significant moment for Brazilian democracy and the rule of law. The case drew global attention as one of the most consequential legal proceedings against a former head of state in Latin American history.

Legacy

Bolsonaro's legacy in Brazilian politics remains deeply contested. Supporters credit him with reducing crime rates, pursuing economic liberalization, and challenging what they view as entrenched corruption and left-wing dominance in Brazilian institutions. His presidency represented a significant rightward shift in Brazilian politics and mobilized a conservative base that had previously lacked a unifying national figure.

Critics point to the damage done to Brazil's democratic institutions, the environmental destruction in the Amazon during his tenure, his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic — during which Brazil suffered one of the world's highest death tolls — and the events of 8 January 2023 as evidence that his political movement posed a fundamental threat to democratic governance. His conviction for plotting a coup to remain in power marked an unprecedented moment in Brazilian history, as no former president had previously been convicted of such charges.

The Bolsonaro political movement has continued through his family members. His son Flávio Bolsonaro emerged as a leading figure in Brazilian conservative politics, polling strongly ahead of the October 2026 elections even as his father remained incarcerated. The endurance of the Bolsonaro name in Brazilian electoral politics suggests that the political realignment he initiated has outlasted his own political career, though the long-term trajectory of this movement remains uncertain.

Bolsonaro's imprisonment also became a subject of international diplomacy, with the Trump administration in the United States taking an interest in his case. The request by his lawyers for a prison visit from a Trump adviser underscored the transnational dimensions of the populist-nationalist movements with which Bolsonaro had aligned himself.