Former First Lady of Brazil: Will Michelle Bolsonaro Take Over Now?

“For God, Country, Family and Freedom”: At the end of February, Jair Bolsonaro called on his supporters to undertake a “peaceful act” and “defend the democratic constitutional state.” It is estimated that more than 185,000 people gathered in the streets of São Paulo. It was Bolsonaro’s first major political event since his defeat by incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (78) in 2022.

Abandoned due to government nepotism

The highly controversial politician was convicted last year of abuse of power and may not stand for re-election until 2030. The police are also investigating him on suspicion of planning a coup and the abolition of the democratic constitutional state. Bolsonaro’s lawyer then confirmed to X that his passport had been handed over to the authorities. This could be the trigger for Bolsonaro’s return to refute “all the accusations leveled against him in recent months,” as he announced in a video.

With the demonstration, the 68-year-old sent a political signal: in October, mayors and municipal councilors will be elected in South America’s largest economy. The elections mark the halfway mark of Lula’s term, and Bolsonaro’s influence is likely to play a role. But since Bolsonaro is no longer allowed to run for office, someone else could now take over his political legacy: Michelle Bolsonaro.

Michelle and Jair Bolsonaro, 27 years her senior, met in Brasilia in 2007 when she was parliamentary secretary. Shortly afterwards, Michelle began working with him at Bolsonaro’s invitation and was appointed parliamentary secretary that same year. Two months later, in November 2007, the two married. Michelle was subsequently fired due to the ban on nepotism in public administration. Since then, she has devoted herself to church activities and sign language interpreting. The evangelical Christian joined Bolsonaro’s party in 2022 and has led the women’s wing of the PL since 2023.

Michelle Bolsonaro is becoming an increasingly viable option

Michelle’s performance at the demonstration in São Paulo in particular strengthened her reputation. The former first lady opened the event with a prayer and a speech, calling the former president’s supporters “a good people who defend Christian values ​​and principles.” There was generally a religious tone to her speech. And so Michelle continues exactly what her husband did: activating the evangelical foundation. It is said that she quoted God 38 times and mentioned the Lord 30 times. Finally, she blessed Israel in the name of Jesus as thousands of visitors waved the Israeli flags they had brought with them.

Strengthening Michelle’s image as a Protestant woman could be a strategic move by Bolsonaro’s campaign, political scientist Graziella Testa told the BBC: “Michelle’s figure is very important, especially to achieve women’s suffrage and break women’s resistance, is Bolsonaro’s Achilles heel. “

The PL leadership has three political projects planned for the ex-first lady: The 41-year-old could run for the vacant Senate seat of Sérgio Moro, Jair Bolsonaro’s former justice minister, if he is ultimately indicted. The trial starts on April 1. Then she could run for Senate or presidential elections in 2026.

Bolsonaro has said publicly that his wife has no experience and that his priority is to prevent Lula’s re-election. However, he would support her if she had a better chance of winning. At the top of the PL, the former first lady’s name is now seen as an increasingly viable option, reports Brazilian newspaper ‘O Globo’. According to the latest polls, Michelle is currently only 7 percentage points behind President Lula – and therefore has a real chance of inheriting her husband’s political legacy.