Date of Birth: December 14, 1947
Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius
Biography
Dilma Vana Rousseff is a Brazilian economist and politician who became the first woman to serve as President of Brazil. She was born on December 14, 1947, in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Rousseff’s political career began in the 1960s when she joined left-wing and Marxist urban guerrilla groups that fought against the military dictatorship in Brazil. She was captured and imprisoned for almost three years, during which she was reportedly tortured. After her release, Rousseff continued her education, earning a degree in economics. She then transitioned into politics, aligning with the Workers’ Party (PT). She held various government positions before being appointed Minister of Mines and Energy under President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in 2003. Her success in this role led to her promotion to Chief of Staff in 2005. In 2010, Rousseff was elected President of Brazil, succeeding Lula. Her presidency was marked by efforts to reduce poverty and expand social programs but was also marred by economic struggles and a massive corruption scandal. Rousseff was re-elected in 2014 but was impeached in 2016 on charges of fiscal mismanagement, ending her tenure prematurely.
5 Interesting Facts about Dilma Rousseff
1. Dilma Rousseff is a descendant of Bulgarian immigrants on her father’s side.
2. During her guerrilla activities, she was known by the codename “Stella.”
3. She was the first woman to open the United Nations General Assembly, doing so in 2011.
4. Rousseff survived lymphatic cancer in 2009, showing resilience before her presidential campaign.
5. Despite her impeachment, Rousseff has remained active in Brazilian politics and public life.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Dilma Rousseff
1. “I am not a puppet. And the Brazilian people will not be puppets of the past.”
2. “We can’t forget that we are a nation marked by profound social inequality.”
3. “I am proud to be the first woman elected President of Brazil.”
4. “I’d rather be the victim of political injustice than be guilty of committing injustice.”
5. “We must always be clear: strong democracies are built on strong institutions.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of her career, Dilma Rousseff’s net worth was estimated to be around $1 million.
Children
Dilma Rousseff has one daughter, Paula Rousseff Araújo, who was born in 1976. Paula is a lawyer and has two children, making Rousseff a grandmother.
Relevant Links
1. [Dilma Rousseff – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dilma_Rousseff
2. [Biography of Dilma Rousseff – Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Dilma-Rousseff
5. [UN Speech by Dilma Rousseff – United Nations](https://gadebate.un.org/en/66/brazil
