Getúlio Vargas.

Getúlio Dornelles Vargas

Born 19 Apr 1882 São Borja, Brazil

Died 24 Aug 1954 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Citizenship Brazil

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TL;DR

Getúlio Vargas served as the 14th and 17th President of Brazil, first from 1930 to 1945 and then from 1951 until his suicide in 1954. He earned the nickname ‘father of the poor’ by implementing labor reforms and modernizing the Brazilian economy. He rose to power in the 1930 revolution and later established a dictatorship from 1937 to 1945. He returned to office in 1951 but faced political crisis, culminating in his suicide on August 24, 1954.

Identity & family.

KIN · 13

Names, aliases, and relatives of Getúlio Vargas — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Native Name Getúlio Dornelles Vargas

Nicknames Gegê

PARENTS: Cândida Francisca Dornelles Manuel do Nascimento Vargas
SPOUSES: Darci de Lima Sarmanho
CHILDREN: Lutero Vargas Alzira Vargas Jandira Vargas Manuel Sarmanho Vargas Getúlio Vargas Filho
SIBLINGS: Benjamim Vargas Spartacus Dornelles Vargas Viriato Dornelles Vargas Protásio Dornelles Vargas Jovita Dornelles Vargas

At a glance.

STATS

Getúlio Vargas by the numbers — life, work, and family.

72 Years lived

10 Awards

1 Marriage

5 Children

Who was Getúlio Vargas?

BIOGRAPHY

Getúlio Vargas — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

The son of local political leader Manuel do Nascimento Vargas, Getúlio Dornelles Vargas was born on April 19, 1882, in São Borja, Rio Grande do Sul. He was one of six children, including Benjamim Vargas and Spartacus Dornelles Vargas. Growing up on the Brazilian frontier, he learned the workings of regional power. He studied law at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, a move that launched his political career.

Career

Vargas rose to power in the Brazilian Revolution of 1930, becoming provisional president after a coup. He was elected under the 1934 Constitution. In 1937 he seized dictatorial powers, citing a communist threat, and established the Estado Novo dictatorship. He ruled as a dictator until 1945, when he was ousted. He returned to the presidency in 1951 after a democratic election. Mounting political pressure and economic crisis followed. On August 24, 1954, he died by suicide in the Catete Palace, leaving a suicide note blaming his enemies.

Personal life

Vargas married Darci de Lima Sarmanho. They had five children: Lutero Vargas, Alzira Vargas, Jandira Vargas, Manuel Sarmanho Vargas, and Getúlio Vargas Filho. Close friends and family called him Gegê. His daughter Alzira Vargas later became his private secretary.

Legacy

Vargas earned the nickname father of the poor through his labor laws, minimum wage, and social security reforms that modernized Brazil. He appears in the Livro dos Heróis e Heroínas da Pátria Book of Heroes and Heroines of the Fatherland, a national honor. His suicide polarized the nation, and he remains an influential and controversial figure in Brazilian history. His political strategies and populist approach shaped Brazilian politics for decades.

Awards & honors.

AWARDS · 10

Every award, honor, and recognition received by Getúlio Vargas — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.

Collar of the Order of Isabella the Catholic
Order of the White Eagle
Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
Grand Cross Special Class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
Grand Cross of the Order of the Southern Cross
Order of Naval Merit
Grand Cross of the Military Order of the Tower and Sword
Grand Cross of the Military Order of Avis
Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of the White Rose of Finland
Livro dos Heróis e Heroínas da Pátria

Did you know?

FACTS · 5

Little-known facts about Getúlio Vargas — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

He held the office of President of Brazil twice: from 1930 to 1945 and from 1951 until his suicide in 1954.
He was the grandfather of Getúlio Vargas Neto Manuel’s son, Celina Vargas Peixoto Alzira’s daughter, and Cândida Vargas Lutero’s daughter.
He was the father of Lutero Vargas 1912-1898, Jandira Vargas b. 1913, Alzira Vargas 1914-1992, Manuel António Vargas 1916-1997, and Getúlio Vargas 1917-1943.
He was the brother of Protásio Vargas, Viriato Vargas, Benjamim Vargas 1897-1973, Spartacus Dornelles Vargas, and Jovita Dornelles Vargas.
He was the son of Manuel do Nascimento Vargas and Cândida Dorneles.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 29

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Getúlio Vargas.

When was Getúlio Vargas born?

Getúlio Vargas was born on April 19, 1882, in São Borja, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
Where was Getúlio Vargas born?

He was born in São Borja, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, near the border with Argentina.
When did Getúlio Vargas die?

He died on August 24, 1954, by suicide at the Catete Palace in Rio de Janeiro.
How old was Getúlio Vargas when he died?

He was 72 years old when he died in 1954, having been born in 1882.
Where did Getúlio Vargas die?

He died at the Catete Palace in Rio de Janeiro, then the presidential residence, the capital of the state of Rio de Janeiro.
How did Getúlio Vargas die?

He died by suicide, shooting himself in the chest, sparking a political crisis in Brazil.
What is Getúlio Vargas's name in his native language?

His full name in Portuguese is Getúlio Dornelles Vargas. He was commonly known as Getúlio Vargas.
What does Getúlio Vargas do for a living?

Getúlio Vargas was a politician and lawyer who served as President of Brazil. He is also listed as an actor in some records, but his primary career was in politics.
What nationality is Getúlio Vargas?

He was Brazilian, born in Brazil and a lifelong citizen.
What language does Getúlio Vargas speak?

His native language was Portuguese, which he spoke as his primary language.
Who are Getúlio Vargas's parents?

His parents were Cândida Francisca Dornelles and Manuel do Nascimento Vargas. His father was a local political leader in Rio Grande do Sul.
Who is Getúlio Vargas married to?

He married Darci de Lima Sarmanho, who was his wife during his presidential terms.
Does Getúlio Vargas have children?

Yes, he had five children: Lutero Vargas, Alzira Vargas, Jandira Vargas, Manuel Sarmanho Vargas, and Getúlio Vargas Filho. Alzira Vargas later served as his secretary.
Does Getúlio Vargas have any siblings?

Yes, he had five siblings: Benjamim Vargas, Spartacus Dornelles Vargas, Viriato Dornelles Vargas, Protásio Dornelles Vargas, and Jovita Dornelles Vargas. Benjamim Vargas was particularly close to him.
Where did Getúlio Vargas go to school?

He studied at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul and graduated with a law degree.
What awards has Getúlio Vargas won?

He received the Collar of the Order of Isabella the Catholic from Spain, the Order of the White Eagle, the Grand Cross of the Order of the Southern Cross, and is inscribed in the Livro dos Heróis e Heroínas da Pátria.
How many awards has Getúlio Vargas won?

He received at least ten major awards, including various national and international orders of merit.
How tall was Getúlio Vargas?

Getúlio Vargas was 5 feet 4 inches tall approximately 1.63 meters.
What is the origin of Getúlio Vargas's nickname 'Gegê?

The nickname Gegê is a diminutive and affectionate form of his first name Getúlio. It was used by his family and close friends.
What was the Estado Novo?

The Estado Novo was the dictatorial regime established by Getúlio Vargas in 1937. It lasted until 1945 and centralized power, suppressing political opposition.
Why is Getúlio Vargas called the father of the poor?

He earned this nickname for his social and labor reforms, including the minimum wage, labor rights, and social security. These policies improved the lives of Brazil’s working class.
What caused Getúlio Vargas's suicide?

Vargas faced intense political pressure and a crisis in 1954, with calls for his resignation. He wrote a suicide note blaming his enemies and shot himself, which sparked national mourning.
Who were Getúlio Vargas's grandchildren?

His grandchildren include Getúlio Vargas Neto son of Manuel, Celina Vargas Peixoto daughter of Alzira, and Cândida Vargas daughter of Lutero.
Did Getúlio Vargas receive the Order of Isabella the Catholic?

Yes, he was awarded the Collar of the Order of Isabella the Catholic, one of Spain’s highest honors. This award recognizes his diplomatic ties with Spain.
What is the Livro dos Heróis e Heroínas da Pátria?

This is the Book of Heroes and Heroines of the Fatherland, a national registry in Brazil that honors individuals who have made significant contributions. Getúlio Vargas is included in it.
How many times was Getúlio Vargas president?

He served as president twice: first from 1930 to 1945, and then from 1951 until his death in 1954. He is counted as both the 14th and 17th president.
What were Getúlio Vargas's major accomplishments?

He modernized Brazil’s economy, created labor laws, and established state-owned enterprises such as Petrobras. His social reforms earned him lasting support among the poor.
Who succeeded Getúlio Vargas after his death?

After his suicide in 1954, Vice President Café Filho assumed the presidency. This transition was peaceful despite the crisis.
Was Getúlio Vargas a dictator?

Yes, from 1937 to 1945, Vargas ruled as a dictator under the Estado Novo regime. He suspended the constitution and centralized power.

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Published on April 18, 2026

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