Michelle Bolsonaro: the trajectory of the former first lady
Michelle Bolsonaro: the trajectory of the former first lady
Michelle de Paula Firmo Reinaldo Bolsonaro was born in Ceilândia (DF), on March 22, 1982. From humble origins, she studied at a public school and worked as a parliamentary secretary in the Chamber of Deputies between 2004 and 2008
She met Jair Bolsonaro in the Chamber in 2007, when he was a deputy. The civil wedding took place in November 2012 and the religious one, in 2013, celebrated by pastor Silas Malafaia
A fervent evangelical, she attended the Silas Malafaia church and then the Attitude Baptist Church. His faith influences Jair’s image, serving as a vital bridge with conservative Christian voters
In the 2018 campaign, he worked behind the scenes, controlling access to Jair at home and softening the “Captain” image. On January 1, 2019, he broke protocol by speaking in Libras at the presidential inauguration
As First Lady (2019-2022), she focused on social causes, rare diseases and the deaf community, avoiding controversial topics. He initially remained discreet, but his political influence progressively grew
In the 2022 campaign, he took a leading role on the platforms to reduce Bolsonaro’s high rejection among women. With religious speeches, she compared the dispute to a “spiritual war”, consolidating herself as a speaker
In 2023, she found herself involved in the Saudi jewelry scandal. Items valued at R$16.5 million, supposedly gifts to her, were withheld by the Revenue in October 2021. She denied knowledge about the jewelry
She assumed the presidency of PL Mulher in March 2023, with a salary and travel schedule to join new women. Valdemar Costa Neto sees her as an electoral asset, praising her potential for votes against Lula
In 2025, PF investigations pointed to suspicious transfers of R$2 million from Jair to his account before a statement, suggesting an attempt to shield assets, a strategy similar to that used by Eduardo Bolsonaro
His rise generated family friction. In December 2025, her stepsons Flávio, Eduardo and Carlos publicly criticized her, calling her “authoritarian” after she attacked the PL’s political alliances in Ceará
Datafolha research from 2025 indicates that Michelle outperforms her stepchildren in scenarios against Lula. Although she says she would prefer to be first lady, she admitted in September 2025 that she would be a candidate if it was “God’s will”
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