SAO PAULO — Following his defeat in the recent presidential runoff, Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former President Jair Bolsonaro, has left Brazil for the United States. Flávio, who was defeated by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, departed with his family Tuesday, ultimately arriving in south Florida after a journey that included stops in Ecuador and Argentina. His departure mirrors that of his father, who spent several months in Florida after losing the 2022 election.
While Flávio, 45, and his brother Eduardo, who moved to Texas in 2025 citing political persecution, have left Brazil, several other members of the Bolsonaro family remain. Five family members ran for office in the recent elections, with only one experiencing a loss.
The Bolsonaro Family’s Current Status
Jair Bolsonaro, the former president, is currently serving a 27-year prison sentence under house arrest for attempting a coup. Although he lost the 2022 election, he returned briefly to Brazil after spending three months in Florida. He is prohibited from making public statements but resides with his wife, Michelle Bolsonaro.
Flávio Bolsonaro is currently facing two investigations related to allegations of corruption and money laundering. Upon leaving Brazil, he was ordered to surrender his passports. His political future remains uncertain as investigations continue.
Eduardo Bolsonaro, 42, has become active in lobbying conservative lawmakers and political figures in the U.S. since relocating in early 2025. In June, he was convicted in absentia for illegal lobbying linked to the Trump administration and is facing a prison sentence of four years, alongside a recent arrest warrant.
Michelle Bolsonaro, Jair’s wife, was elected to the Brazilian Senate in October, becoming the first former first lady to secure a public office. Her term extends until 2034, and speculation arises regarding a potential presidential run in 2030.
In addition to Michelle, Carlos Bolsonaro, another of Jair’s sons, secured a seat in the Senate earlier this month, partnering his years of city council service in Rio de Janeiro with a recent relocation to a Bolsonaro stronghold. Jair Renan Bolsonaro, the youngest son, has been elected to the lower house, and nephew Renato Bolsonaro also won a seat, backed by significant campaign funding from Jair’s Liberal Party.
Rogéria Bolsonaro, the former wife of Jair and mother of Flávio, Carlos, and Eduardo, recently ran for Congress but was unsuccessful. She has a history in local politics, having served two terms in the Rio de Janeiro city council.
The future of the Bolsonaro family in Brazilian politics remains dynamic, with multiple family members occupying important roles despite the recent political setbacks experienced by Flávio and Eduardo.
