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Jair Messias Bolsonaro (Brazilian Portuguese: [ʒaˈiʁ meˈsi.ɐz bowsoˈnaɾu]; born 21 March 1955) is a Brazilian politician and retired military officer who served as the 38th president of Brazil from 2019 to 2023. Prior to his presidency, he served as a member of Brazil's Chamber of Deputies from 1991 to 2018.

Bolsonaro began his military career in 1973 and graduated from the Military Academy of Agulhas Negras in 1977. He gained public attention in 1986 when he wrote an article for Veja magazine criticizing the low wages for military officers, resulting in his arrest and a fifteen-day detention. After leaving the army, he was elected to the Municipal Chamber of Rio de Janeiro in 1988. In 1990, he was first elected to the Chamber of Deputies representing the state of Rio de Janeiro. During his 27-year tenure as a congressman, Bolsonaro became known for his national conservatism. In the 2018 Brazilian presidential election, he began advocating for economically liberal and pro-market policies. He led the first round of voting on October 7 and defeated Fernando Haddad in the runoff on October 28.

As president, Bolsonaro initially focused on domestic issues, addressing the aftermath of the 2014 Brazilian economic crisis. The economy showed slow recovery, while crime rates significantly dropped in his first year. However, his administration rolled back protections for Indigenous groups in the Amazon rainforest and facilitated deforestation. Bolsonaro's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic was widely criticized, as he downplayed the severity of the virus, opposed quarantine measures, and dismissed two health ministers amidst a rapidly rising death toll.

Jair Bolsonaro was born to Percy Geraldo Bolsonaro and Olinda Bonturi in Glicério, São Paulo. He is of Italian descent on his mother's side and German descent on his father's side. Bolsonaro grew up in a large family with six siblings, and his upbringing was modest. He attended a local school in Eldorado, a small town in São Paulo, where his family relocated when he was young.

In 1973, Bolsonaro enrolled in the Escola Preparatória de Cadetes do Exército, a preparatory school for the Brazilian Army. He graduated in 1977 from the Academia Militar das Agulhas Negras, Brazil's main military academy. Bolsonaro's military career was marked by his staunch anti-communism and his advocacy for the military's role in governance. He served as an artillery officer and rose to the rank of captain.

Bolsonaro's time in the military was not without controversy. In 1986, he faced disciplinary action for penning an article in a magazine criticizing low military salaries. He was arrested and faced a military trial but was eventually acquitted. This incident brought him into the public eye and marked the beginning of his political career.

Bolsonaro's political career began in earnest in 1988 when he was elected to the Rio de Janeiro City Council. His tenure as a councilor was brief but set the stage for his long-term role in the national legislature. In 1991, Bolsonaro was elected to the Chamber of Deputies, where he served seven consecutive terms. His legislative career was characterized by his focus on defense issues, law and order, and conservative social policies.

As a congressman, Bolsonaro became known for his outspoken and often provocative statements. He was a vocal critic of leftist policies and a strong advocate for the military dictatorship that ruled Brazil from 1964 to 1985. Bolsonaro's views and rhetoric earned him both a dedicated following and significant opposition.

In 2018, Bolsonaro ran for president as a member of the Social Liberal Party (PSL). His campaign gained traction amid widespread dissatisfaction with corruption and crime. Bolsonaro's tough-on-crime stance, coupled with his promise to implement market-friendly economic reforms, resonated with many voters. He won the presidency with 55.1% of the vote in the second round, defeating Fernando Haddad of the Workers' Party (PT).

As president, Bolsonaro's policies included efforts to deregulate the economy, reduce the size of government, and implement pension reform. However, his administration was also marked by significant controversy, particularly regarding his environmental policies and handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Bolsonaro's presidency saw a sharp increase in deforestation in the Amazon and significant international criticism for his environmental stance.

Bolsonaro's presidency left a complex and contentious legacy. His supporters view him as a champion of conservative values, economic liberalization, and a strong stance on crime. They credit him with reducing bureaucratic red tape, attempting pension reform, and standing against political correctness.

Critics, however, argue that Bolsonaro's tenure was marked by environmental degradation, poor handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, and erosion of democratic norms. His administration's approach to the Amazon rainforest, which included reducing enforcement of environmental laws and encouraging agricultural and mining activities, led to significant deforestation and drew global condemnation.

Bolsonaro's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic was particularly controversial. He repeatedly downplayed the severity of the virus, opposed lockdowns and mask mandates, and promoted unproven treatments. Brazil's high infection and death rates during the pandemic led to widespread criticism of his administration's response.

Looking to the future, Bolsonaro remains a polarizing figure in Brazilian politics. While his base of support remains strong, his legacy is contested, and his influence on Brazilian politics will likely continue to be debated. Bolsonaro's future political ambitions, including the possibility of running for office again, will shape his long-term impact on Brazil.

1. Boghossian, Bruno; Carneiro, Mariana (9 October 2017). "Bolsonaro diz que é liberal e adota discurso que agrada investidores" [Bolsonaro says he is a liberal and adopts a speech that pleases investors]. Folha de S.Paulo (in Brazilian Portuguese). Brasília. Archived from the original on 16 November 2018. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
2. "Slow economic recovery and China to be discussed at 2020 Brazilian Prospects Seminar". Fundação Getúlio Vargas. 5 March 2019. Archived from the original on 9 July 2020. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
3. "No primeiro ano do governo Bolsonaro, estados garantem queda na criminalidade" [In the first year of the Bolsonaro government, states guarantee a drop in crime]. Fundação Getúlio Vargas (in Brazilian Portuguese). 5 March 2019. Archived from the original on 25 September 2020. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
4. Savarese, Mauricio (2 January 2019). "Brazil's new president makes it harder to define indigenous lands". Global News. Archived from the original on 19 January 2019. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
5. Faiola, Anthony; Lopes, Marina (28 October 2018). "Who is Jair Bolsonaro, the man likely to be Brazil's next president?". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 30 October 2018. Retrieved 30 October 2018.