From metalworker to president: The extraordinary political trajectory of Brazil’s Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

History · Published 30 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, known as Lula, has defined modern Brazilian politics. Rising from poverty to become a trade union leader, he served as president from 2003 to 2011 and returned to power in 2023. His career is marked by immense popularity, corruption scandals, imprisonment, and a historic political comeback.

Born in 1945 in Pernambuco, Lula’s early life was defined by hardship. He left school after the second grade to work, only learning to read at age ten. After migrating to São Paulo, he became a metalworker and a prominent trade unionist, leading major strikes between 1978 and 1980. These experiences fueled his role in co-founding the Workers' Party in 1980, a pivotal moment in Brazil’s transition toward democracy.

Lula’s first two presidential terms, beginning in 2003, were characterized by significant social welfare initiatives like Bolsa Família. These policies contributed to economic growth and helped millions escape poverty, leaving him with an 80% approval rating upon his departure in 2011. However, his tenure was also shadowed by corruption scandals, including the Mensalão vote-buying case and later, the massive Operation Car Wash investigation.

In 2017, Lula was convicted of corruption and money laundering, leading to 580 days of imprisonment starting in 2018. His political future seemed extinguished until 2021, when the Supreme Federal Court nullified his convictions, citing serious judicial bias. This ruling cleared the path for his 2022 campaign. Defeating the incumbent Jair Bolsonaro, Lula was inaugurated in 2023 at age 77, becoming the first Brazilian president to win a third term.

Today, Lula’s administration navigates a complex landscape of persistent fiscal deficits, environmental policy, and international engagement. His return to the presidency represents a unique chapter in Latin American history, reflecting both the resilience of his political movement and the deep polarization within Brazilian society. As he continues his work, he remains a central figure in global conversations regarding the future of the world's fifth-largest country.

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