Jose Alencar Gomes da Silva

José Alencar Gomes da Silva was a Brazilian businessman, entrepreneur and politician who served as the 23rd vice president of Brazil from 2003 to 2010, under the presidency of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. He was also the founder and president of Coteminas, a textile company that became one of the largest in Latin America. He was born in Muriaé, a state of Minas Gerais, in the Southeast of Brazil, on October 17, 1931, as the son of Antônio Gomes da Silva and his wife, Dolores Peres Gomes da Silva. He started his career as a salesman at the age of 14, working for his uncle's store. He moved to Caratinga in 1949, where he opened his own store and later a cotton factory. He expanded his business to other cities and states, and in 1967 he founded Coteminas, a textile company that produced cotton fabrics and garments. He became one of the most successful and respected entrepreneurs in Brazil, with more than 10,000 employees and operations in several countries. He was also a leader of the industrial sector, being the president of the Brazilian Association of Textile Industry and the Federation of Industries of the State of Minas Gerais. He entered politics in 1994, when he ran for governor of Minas Gerais, but lost the election. He was elected senator of the Republic in 1998, representing his home state. He joined the Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB), but later switched to the Liberal Party (PL). He was invited by Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the leader of the Workers' Party (PT), to be his running mate in the 2002 presidential election. They won the election and took office in 2003, forming a coalition government. Alencar became the vice president of Brazil and also the minister of defense from 2004 to 2006. He was reelected with Lula in 2006 and served until 2010. He was a loyal and popular ally of Lula, despite having some ideological differences. He supported Lula's social and economic policies, but also advocated for lower interest rates, fiscal responsibility, and free market reforms. He was also a vocal critic of corruption, violence, and inequality in Brazil and defended democracy, human rights, and national sovereignty. He was known for his humility, honesty, and courage. He faced several health problems during his tenure, undergoing 17 surgeries to treat an abdominal cancer that he was diagnosed with in 1997. He died of complications from the disease in 2011, at the age of 79, leaving behind his wife, three children, and 11 grandchildren. He was succeeded by Michel Temer as the vice president of Brazil. He was widely mourned and honored by his peers, employees, and the public for his vision, integrity, and generosity. He left a legacy of political and economic achievements for Brazil and a model of entrepreneurship and leadership for future generations.