The story of Lula: how a shoe-shiner became Brazil’s beloved president

On Sunday (January 1) Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, mononymously known as Lula, was sworn in as Brazil’s president for a record third term. He was previously president from 2002 to 2010, leaving office with an 83 per cent approval rating only due to Brazil’s presidential term constraints.

Lula inherits a polarised Brazilian society on the back of a closely contested election against far-right incumbent Jair Bolsanaro. The economy is in its worst condition in years with pandemic-induced precarity and rising commodity prices key issues that he needs to address. Also, his approach towards the conservation of the Amazon rainforest, notoriously mistreated by his predecessor, will be crucial.

However, supporters are confident of Lula’s competence, often citing his origins and upbringing as reasons to have faith in the 77-year old. Unlike all of Brazil’s previous presidents, Lula hails from the working class. His relatability, charisma and sincere dedication towards Brazil’s less-privileged populations has been crucial to his political success and popularity over the years.

Lula was one of eight children born into a farming family in Brazil’s northeast region. When his parents realised that they could not feed eight children with their meagre farm income, Lula, six siblings and his mother moved to the port town of Santos near Sao Paulo. They would later move to Sao Paulo.

Lula’s childhood was difficult. He dropped out of school in the fifth standard to help his family survive, initially working as a shoe-shiner on the streets of Sao Paulo. He would also work as an office boy, running various errands. In his teens, Lula got a job in a factory where he lost his left little finger in a machinery accident at the age of 17. The family of six lived in the backroom of a bar, where drunks would often puke and piss, and rains would bring all sorts of creatures in.