Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, widely known as Lula, is one of the most influential and recognizable political figures in Brazil. Rising from a childhood marked by extreme poverty to the presidency of the country, his life story has made him a powerful symbol of the Brazilian working class and social mobility.

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was born on October 27, 1945, in the town of Caetés, in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. He grew up as one of eight children in a poor family and was forced to work at a very young age. During his childhood and youth, he worked as a shoeshiner, a messenger, and later as a factory worker. After moving to São Paulo, he trained as a metalworker and became involved in labor union activities while working in the industrial sector.

During the 1970s, Lula emerged as a prominent trade union leader by organizing and leading large-scale workers’ strikes, which brought him national recognition. His leadership in labor movements played a crucial role in reshaping Brazil’s union culture and positioning him as a central figure in opposition to authoritarian labor practices.

In 1980, Lula was among the founding members of the Workers’ Party (Partido dos Trabalhadores) (PT). After losing presidential elections in 1989, 1994, and 1998, he achieved victory in the 2002 election and was elected President of Brazil. He served two consecutive terms from January 1, 2003, to January 1, 2011. During this period, his administration prioritized fighting poverty, reducing income inequality, and strengthening social welfare policies. The Bolsa Família program, in particular, significantly improved the living conditions of millions of Brazilians.

After leaving office, Lula faced corruption charges and was imprisoned; however, these convictions were later annulled, restoring his political rights. In the 2022 elections, he returned to the political arena and won the presidency once again, officially beginning his new term on January 1, 2023. With this victory, he became the first president in Brazilian history to be elected to the office three times.

Lula is regarded by his supporters as a symbol of social justice and the fight against poverty, while critics describe him as a polarizing political figure. Despite these contrasting views, he remains one of the most decisive and enduring personalities in contemporary Brazilian politics.

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has been married three times. His first wife was Maria de Lurdes da Silva (married in 1969, deceased in 1971). His second marriage was to Marisa Letícia (married in 1974, deceased in 2017), with whom he had four children. In 2022, he married his third wife, Janja Silva. He has five children in total: Lurian Cordeiro, Fábio Luís da Silva, Sandro Luís da Silva, Luís Cláudio da Silva, and Marcos Cláudio da Silva.

Throughout his career, Lula has received numerous international awards in recognition of his leadership and social policies. Among these honors are the 2009 Chatham House Prize, the World Food Prize, and the Indira Gandhi Peace Prize.

Source: Biyografiler.com