First Lady of Brazil

First Lady of Brazil
Current Rosângela Lula da Silva since 1 January 2023
Style	Dona
Residence	Palácio da Alvorada
Inaugural holder	Mariana da Fonseca
Formation	15 November 1889 (134 years ago) (1889-11-15)

First Lady of Brazil (Portuguese: Primeira-dama do Brasil) is a title given to the hostess of Alvorada Palace. The position is traditionally filled by the wife of the current president of Brazil,^[1] but may apply to women who are not the president's wives, for instance, when the president is single or widowed. They do not have official functions within the government, but usually attend public ceremonies and organize social actions such as charity events. In addition, a charismatic first lady can help convey a positive image of her spouses to the population.

The role of the first lady has changed considerably. It has come to include involvement in political campaigns, social causes, and representation of the president on official and ceremonial occasions. In addition, over the years, first ladies have exerted influence in various sectors, from fashion to public opinion on politics.

To date, there have been thirty-seven first ladies, counting twice the wives of Getúlio Vargas and Ranieri Mazzilli, who served two non-consecutive terms each. President Hermes da Fonseca had two first ladies, as he became a widower and remarried while still in office. Presidents Rodrigues Alves and Castelo Branco were widowers, hence their daughters played such a role. Brazil has never had a first gentleman, as every male president has been heterosexual and Dilma Rousseff, the first and only female president to date, had been divorced prior to taking office.

Following the inauguration of Lula on 1 January 2023, his wife Rosângela Lula da Silva became the thirty-seventh Brazilian first lady, succeeding Michelle Bolsonaro, wife of former president Jair Bolsonaro.