Eduardo Suplicy’s legacy
Eduardo Matarazzo Suplicy was born in São Paulo, in 1941, from a wealthy family. Raised near Paulista, he was the sixth of nine children of a coffee broker and a descendant of the Matarazzo family.
In his youth, he boxed and traveled to Europe, where he became interested in economic inequality. Although impressed with Eastern Europe, he criticized the lack of civil liberties in those countries
Graduated in administration from FGV, where he taught, he completed his master’s degree in Michigan. He married Marta Suplicy in 1964, with whom he had three children: Eduardo (the Supla), André and João, divorcing in 2001
He began public life in 1978 as a state deputy for MDB. In 1980, he was among the founders of the PT, a party where he would build a trajectory marked by electoral successes and divergences
Despite never having won in the Executive, Suplicy was one of the strongest names in the Legislature. He was the most voted councilor in São Paulo in 1988 and presided over the City Council for two years
He served for 24 years as Senator, a position he assumed in 1990. During his term, he stood out for his support for the creation of the Yanomami Park and for his constant defense of humanitarian and social causes.
His life’s project is the Basic Citizenship Income (RBC), presented in 1991. He defends that every citizen should receive an income to meet vital needs and guarantee their dignity
Known for his performance style, he sang Racionais MCs and Bob Dylan at Senado. These unusual and good-humored appearances helped to give national prominence to his political agendas
In 2009, he gave a symbolic red card to José Sarney in protest against allegations of corruption. The act generated great popular support, but angered the PT leadership, with whom it had unstable relations
After losing the Senate in 2014, he was Secretary of Human Rights and once again became the most voted councilor in SP. In 2022, at the age of 81, he was elected again as state deputy
In 2022 he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and, two years later, he learned that he had lymphatic cancer. In November 2024, he announced his cancer remission on social media
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