President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, born on October 27, 1945, in Garanhuns (PE), became the first octogenarian president to exercise executive power in Brazil. This is Lula’s third presidential term, after having held the same role from 2003 to 2006 and from 2007 to 2011.
At the age of 80 this Monday (27), the government official surpasses the previous record of former president Michel Temer, who left office at the age of 78 in 2018.
The third oldest Brazilian president in office was Getúlio Vargas, in his second term, who died at the age of 72, in August 1954.
On the other hand, the youngest occupant of the seat at Palácio do Planalto was Fernando Collor de Mello, at 43 years old, who left office after impeachment in September 1992.
Birthday abroad
Lula received tributes during his official trip to Asia. In Malaysia, the celebration took place at a gala dinner and cake hosted by the Asian country’s prime minister, Anwar Ibrahim.
At a press conference in Malaysia, the president commented on the date.
“I’m turning 80 years old at the best moment of my life. I’ve never felt so alive and with so much desire to live. That’s why I tell everyone that I hope to live until I’m 120. As of today, there’s only 40 left [anos]”, he said.
On his social network, the Brazilian president thanked the tributes received in Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysian capital.
“I end today among new friends and old companions that I met here in Malaysia. Heads of State from Southeast Asia and guest countries, who paid a beautiful tribute on my birthday. To all of them, my deep gratitude.”
Lula said he hopes to meet everyone soon in Brazil, during the 30th United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP30), scheduled to take place between November 10th and 21st, in the city of Belém.
Days earlier, Lula received an early tribute in Indonesia, at the invitation of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.
Congratulations
The President of the United States, Donald Trump, wished happy birthday to the Brazilian president on his 80th birthday, in contact with journalists aboard the presidential plane Air Force One, en route to Japan.
“I want to wish the president a happy birthday. It’s his birthday today. Did you know that? He’s a very vigorous guy, actually. I was very impressed. So, happy birthday”, declared the American, stating that he had a “good meeting” with the Brazilianon Sunday (26).
Upon arriving at the 20th East Asia Summit, this Monday, Lula met with the president of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa. In a good-humored tone, Ramaphosa joked that the Brazilian ‘is only turning 25’. The report was published by Lula on his official profile on X.
In Brazil, the vice-president of the Republic and minister of Development, Industry, Commerce and Services, Geraldo Alckmin, sent congratulations, mentioning that he celebrates the 80th anniversary “along with all Brazilians who chose democracy as a way of realizing their hopes”.
Several other ministers also congratulated the leadership on the date. Among them, the new chief minister of the General Secretary of the Presidency of the Republic, Guilherme Boulos, of Education, Camilo Santana, and of Agriculture and Livestock, Carlos Fávaro.
Other political personalities also sent congratulations, such as the mayor of Recife, João Campos. “Today is the day to celebrate the 80th birthday of one of the greatest world leaders, an incredible story and a tireless fight for the Brazilian people”, he posted on his social profile on the Instagram platform.
Return to Brazil
Until this Tuesday (28), President Lula and the Brazilian delegation are on an official agenda in Kuala Lumpur (MY), at the invitation of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, and will participate in the 47th Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).
The visit aims to intensify and diversify bilateral trade and investments, focusing on strategic sectors such as energy, science, technology and innovation.
