Getulio Vargas

About Getulio Vargas

The Brazilian leader who dominated politics for 24 years. Vargas seized power in 1930 and governed as a populist authoritarian. He created Brazilian labor laws and industrial policies. Vargas established the New State dictatorship in 1937, modeled on fascist regimes. He was deposed in 1945 but returned as democratically elected president in 1951. Facing military pressure, Vargas committed suicide in 1954, shooting himself in the heart. His death letter, likely written for political effect, rallied support for his policies. Vargas is called the father of the poor in Brazil.