Former Minas Gerais governor Romeu Zema, a presidential candidate for the 2026 election, declared R$ 178.7 million in assets to Brazil’s electoral court, a jump from the inflation‑adjusted R$ 154.9 million he reported in 2022.
Zema, a member of the centre‑right Novo party, governed Minas Gerais from 2019 to 2023 and built a reputation as a businessman who founded a retail chain with over 470 stores serving small municipalities.
The largest portion of his declared wealth is a R$ 94.5 million stake in a family holding company. He also reported R$ 56.2 million in an investment fund, R$ 16.8 million in a financial‑institution participation, and R$ 3.96 million in fixed‑income applications.
In the previous election, his assets were mainly a 27.14 % share in Ricardo Zema Participações worth R$ 72.3 million. Adjusted for inflation via the IPCA index, that figure corresponds to R$ 154.9 million today.
Zema’s team said the increase stems from the shares he holds in the group of companies he helped found and from financial applications, describing him as a “successful businessman” who has acted with fiscal responsibility.
The campaign noted that Zema has been open about his personal and professional gains and expenses, contrasting him with politicians who conceal wealth.
When he first ran for office in 2018, his total assets amounted to R$ 105.5 million (inflation‑adjusted). The growth reflects his continued business activities outside government.
Asset declarations to the Justiça Eleitoral are required of all candidates and provide a snapshot of their wealth, allowing voters and watchdogs to assess potential conflicts of interest.
This report is based on single‑source reporting from O Globo; no other outlets were consulted for this piece.