Dilma: the first woman president of Brazil

Dilma: the first woman president of Brazil

Source: www.maganews.com.br

Dilma Rousseff has gone down in Brazilian history by becoming the country's first woman president. The PT candidate won 56. 05% of the votes compared with 43.95% of the PSDB candidate, José Serra

In her first speech as president-elect, Dilma said one of the highest priorities for her government will be to eradicate poverty in the country. Currently there are around 20 million Brazilians living below the poverty line.  She also promised to maintain economic stability and expand the social programs begun by the Lula government. During the speech, Dilma emotionally thanked President Lula, who was primarily responsible for her being elected. The president-elect will take office on January 1, 2011.  During her campaign she said that education would be a high priority in her government, as well as health, security and sanitation.

Drama and achievement in the new president's life

Dilma had a comfortable childhood in Belo Horizonte-MG. Her father was a successful entrepreneur who was born in Bulgaria, and her mother was a teacher.  Her life began to change in 1964 when the military seized power and began to rule the country with an iron fist, putting an end to freedom of the press and persecuting anyone who opposed the military government. Dilma dared to fight against the military regime and was imprisoned in 1970.  She was tortured and spent nearly two and a half years in prison before being released in late 1972. Dilma rebuilt her life in Porto Alegre with her second husband, a lawyer called Carlos Araújo. It was there that Paula was born, their only child. With a degree in economics, Dilma held important positions in the city of Porto Alegre and then the government of Rio Grande do Sul, between 1980 and 1990. In 2003 she won the top post of her career by being made a Minister by President Lula. Over the years she was the outstanding Minister in the federal government. Dilma faced up to tragedy before beginning her election campaign: she was diagnosed with cancer in 2009. After spending several months in treatment, she was cured. As of 2011 it will be up to her to care for the country's economic, political and social health.

www.maganews.com.br

Photos - Ricardo Stuckert