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Who is President Jair Bolsonaro? Former Brazilian Leader Now Serving 27-Year Prison Sentence

Who is Jair Bolsonaro? Explore the rise and fall of Brazil’s former president, now serving a 27-year prison sentence. Get key insights into his political career, controversies, legal troubles, and the latest updates on his imprisonment.

Published By: Swastik Sharma
Last Updated: November 26, 2025 13:37:30 IST

After exhausting his final appeals, former president Jair Bolsonaro has begun serving a 27-year prison sentence, following his conviction for orchestrating a failed coup attempt. Once Brazil’s most powerful right-wing leader, Bolsonaro is now detained in a high-security facility a dramatic shift that has reignited global interest in his political rise, his legacy, and the events that led to his dramatic fall from power.

Who is Jair Bolsonaro?

Jair Bolsonaro is a former military officer and politician from Brazil who came into office as the 38th President of Brazil on January 1, 2019, ending his term on December 31, 2022. Bolsonaro rose to prominence over decades in Brazil’s legislature, becoming one of the most divisive and polarizing figures in Brazilian and global politics.

Where is Jair Bolsonaro today?

In the latest major news, Bolsonaro has been reported to have finally started serving his long prison sentence following his conviction in a coup-plot case, currently being kept in a secure facility under the custody of Brazilian federal police.

Jair Bolsonaro Net Worth

The exact net worth of Jair Bolsonaro is not known, but analytics of influencer income say that he gets about $180,000-$250,000 from Instagram and YouTube every month. That would put his annual social-media income at roughly $2-2.7 million, though this does not reflect his total personal wealth, which remains undisclosed.

Jair Bolsonaro Ankle Monitor

Before going to prison, Bolsonaro was on house arrest and, according to reports, was required to wear an ankle monitor that tracked his movements. Authorities cited the risk of flight after he was accused of tampering with an ankle monitor as the reason for his arrest and jailing.

Due to this tampering incident, the court decided to revoke the house-arrest arrangement and moved him into custodial confinement.

Jair Bolsonaro Wife

Bolsonaro is married to Michelle Bolsonaro. The couple’s public life has often drawn media attention, particularly during Bolsonaro’s presidency.

Michelle has been a visible figure alongside her husband, with involvement in social causes and public engagements. However, especially given Bolsonaro’s legal situation, private information about the details of her current circumstances is less publicly shared.

Jair Bolsonaro and Trump

Throughout his presidency, Bolsonaro has cultivated a close ideological and political affiliation with Donald Trump. Their closeness on conservative policies, populist rhetoric, and international alliances helped to strengthen their bond-one that has received much attention worldwide.

Bolsonaro often praised Trump’s approach and policies, seeing him as a political ally. This also shaped Brazil’s foreign policy dynamics during his term.

What Happened with Jair Bolsonaro?

His fall came after he was convicted by Brazil’s Supreme Court for allegedly masterminding a failed coup plot to try and reverse the 2022 presidential election victory. Bolsonaro was accused by prosecutors of conspiring to prevent the inauguration of the properly elected president, and being prepared to deploy radical methods.

Eventually, after all appeals were concluded, the court ordered him to start a 27-year imprisonment sentence that countered his political immunity, thus bringing his very controversial political life to a juddering end.

Jair Bolsonaro Approval Rating

His approval and popularity varied widely over his presidency among Brazilians. Early supporters praised his hardline stances on crime, military background, and conservative social policies. However, over time, many controversies relative to economic issues, environmental criticism, the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, and political polarization eroded his popularity among many voters.

In his last years in office, and then following defeat at the ballot box, opinion polls reported that his support had weakened. His conviction and imprisonment likely further damaged public perception; although among a segment of his base, he still retains loyalty due to long-held ideological alignment.

Jair Bolsonaro Previous Office

The presidency he took in 2019 came after a long career that Bolsonaro had built up within the political infrastructure in Brazil. He was a multiple-term member of the lower house-the Chamber of Deputies-representing Rio de Janeiro. Before this, Bolsonaro had been an army captain in the Brazilian military; a background that played a crucial role in shaping his political identity, public persona, and policy preferences.

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The Daily Guardian is India’s fastest growing News channel and enjoy highest viewership and highest time spent amongst educated urban Indians.

© Copyright ITV Network Ltd 2025. All right reserved.