Passion or Profession: President, Union Leader

Period: 1945–

“Lula,” as he is commonly known, was born to lower-class parents in the impoverished northeast of Brazil. He left school at age 14 to become a metal worker and help support the family. He soon became active in union activities, organizing huge strikes. As a member of the Workers’ Party, Lula ran for local, then national offices. He was elected to congress in 1986 but was unable to gain wide support during subsequent bids because of his leftist ideas. For 2002 elections, however, he abandoned some of his most extreme ideas and was able to win the presidency. He has set goals of ending hunger, stopping corruption, and reforming land ownership.