Born: 1947 (Belo Horizonte, Brazil)
Dilma Vana Rousseff (Brazilian Portuguese: [diwm vn usf(i)]) was born on December 14, 1947, in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. She is a Brazilian economist and politician who served as the 36th president of Brazil from 2011 until her impeachment and removal from office on August 31, 2016. Rousseff made history as the first woman to hold the Brazilian presidency.
Rousseff grew up in an upper middle-class household in Belo Horizonte. She developed socialist beliefs during her youth and became involved in left-wing and Marxist urban guerrilla groups that fought against the military dictatorship that ruled Brazil after the 1964 coup d’état. In 1970, Rousseff was captured, tortured, and imprisoned until 1972, enduring intense hardships for her political convictions.
After her release, Rousseff relocated to Porto Alegre with her husband Carlos Araújo. There, they played significant roles in the formation of the Democratic Labour Party (PDT) in Rio Grande do Sul, actively participating in the party’s electoral campaigns. Rousseff’s political career took off when she became the treasury secretary of Porto Alegre under Alceu Collares, followed by a role as Secretary of Energy of Rio Grande do Sul under both Collares and Olívio Dutra.
In 2001, a disagreement within the Dutra cabinet led Rousseff to leave the PDT and join the Workers’ Party (PT). Her talent and dedication caught the attention of presidential candidate Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who invited her to serve as an energy policy advisor. She quickly rose through the ranks and, in 2005, when chief of Staff José Dirceu resigned amidst a political crisis stemming from the Mensalão corruption scandal, Rousseff assumed the position of chief of staff.
Rousseff remained as chief of staff until March 31, 2010, when she stepped down to launch her presidential campaign. In the run-off election held on October 31, 2010, she defeated José Serra of the Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB) and became the president of Brazil. Her victory marked a significant milestone for women in Brazilian politics.
During her first term as president, Rousseff focused on social programs and infrastructure development. She implemented the Bolsa Família program, which aimed to alleviate poverty and reduce income inequality by providing financial support to low-income families. She also invested in the country’s transportation system, energy sector, and housing programs.
In 2014, Rousseff sought re-election against PSDB candidate Aécio Neves. Although facing a tough race, she managed to secure a narrow second-round victory, giving her a second term as president. However, her second term faced numerous challenges as Brazil faced a severe economic crisis and political unrest.
Impeachment proceedings against Rousseff were initiated in the Chamber of Deputies on December 3, 2015. On May 12, 2016, the Senate suspended her from office for up to six months, during which time Vice President Michel Temer assumed the role of acting president. On August 31, 2016, the Senate voted to convict Rousseff of breaking budgetary laws and removed her from office.
Despite her political setback, Rousseff remained active in Brazilian politics. In 2018, she ran as a candidate for the Federal Senate from the state of Minas Gerais representing the PT. Although leading in the polls leading up to the election, Rousseff finished in fourth place and was ultimately defeated.
Throughout her career, Dilma Rousseff shattered glass ceilings and made significant contributions to Brazilian politics. Despite facing personal and political challenges, she remains an influential figure in women’s history, inspiring many with her resilience and dedication to social justice.