Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, born 27 October 1945 in Caetés, Pernambuco, is one of the most consequential political figures in modern Brazilian history. He served as 35th President of Brazil from 2003 to 2010 and returned to office as 39th President from 1 January 2023.

His Parents

Father: Aristides Inácio da Silva (1917 – 1978) — sharecropper in Pernambuco; left the family before Lula's birth.

Mother: Eurídice Ferreira de Melo ("Dona Lindu", 1915 – 1980) — sharecropper turned domestic worker who walked her children across thousands of kilometres of Brazil to São Paulo in 1952 looking for work.

His Siblings

Lula is one of eight children of his mother. He has a half-sibling from his father's other relationships.

His First Wife: Maria de Lourdes da Silva

Maria de Lourdes da Silva — Lula's first wife (m. 1969); died in childbirth in 1971 (along with her child).

His Second Wife: Marisa Letícia Rocco

Marisa Letícia Rocco da Silva (1950 – 2 February 2017) — Lula's second wife, married 1974; mother of three of his children. Died of a stroke in 2017.

His Third Wife: Janja

Rosângela "Janja" da Silva, born 1966 — sociologist and Workers' Party (PT) activist. Married Lula on 18 May 2022.

His Children

Lurian Cordeiro Lula da Silva, born 1974 — Lula's first daughter from a relationship before Marisa; legally recognised by Lula in 2008.

With Marisa: Fábio Luís Lula da Silva (b. 1975), Sandro Luís Lula da Silva (b. 1980), Luís Cláudio Lula da Silva (b. 1985), and an adopted son Marcos Cláudio Lula da Silva (b. 1971, Marisa's son from her first marriage).

The Da Silva Family Tree at a Glance

Parents: Aristides Inácio da Silva (1917 – 1978); Eurídice "Lindu" Ferreira de Melo (1915 – 1980).

Wives: Maria de Lourdes (m. 1969, died 1971); Marisa Letícia (m. 1974, died 2 February 2017); Janja (m. 18 May 2022).

Children:

  • Lurian Cordeiro (b. 1974) — daughter from earlier relationship
  • Marcos Cláudio (b. 1971) — adopted (Marisa's son from her first marriage)
  • Fábio Luís (b. 1975)
  • Sandro Luís (b. 1980)
  • Luís Cláudio (b. 1985)

Lula da Silva:

  • Born 27 October 1945, Caetés, Pernambuco
  • Migrated 13 days from northeastern Brazil to São Paulo as a 7-year-old with his mother (1952)
  • Trained as a metalworker; lost a finger in a factory accident at 19
  • Trade union leader through the 1970s
  • Co-founded the Workers' Party (PT), 1980
  • 35th President of Brazil: 1 January 2003 – 1 January 2011
  • 39th President of Brazil from 1 January 2023

What the Lula Family Story Teaches Us

A sharecropper father who left. A mother who walked her children from northeastern Brazil to São Paulo. A first wife lost in childbirth. A second wife of 43 years who died of a stroke during the worst of her husband's political persecution. A third marriage during the presidential campaign. Multiple children spread across multiple relationships. From one of Brazil's poorest origins came a President who returned to office after imprisonment.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Lula story carries the same lesson. Family migration stories at the country-internal level matter as much as international ones. The 1952 journey from Pernambuco to São Paulo is on the Lula family tree as much as any international move. Write down what your family did to find work. The internal migrations matter.

👉 Start building your family legacy today with Family Root App

📜 Disclaimer The family tree and biographical information provided in this article are based on publicly available sources and records including Wikipedia, Britannica, and verified news reports. While we strive for accuracy, we do not guarantee the completeness or authenticity of all data. This content is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It does not represent any political endorsement or commentary on the policies of any government or individual. If you believe any information is incorrect or wish to request edits or removal, please contact us at Info@familyrootapp.com.