Celebrities to Run in São Paulo Election as Details of Silvia Abravanel's Inheritance Emerge
Listen to the story
An unusual group of celebrities is preparing to run in São Paulo's 2026 election. The candidates include a professional pool player, a TV mascot, a former contestant from a popular reality show, and a funk singer.
These well-known figures are hoping to use their fame to gain support from voters. In Brazil, it is common for celebrities and public figures to enter politics.
Meanwhile, new details have come out about the fortune left behind by Silvio Santos, a famous Brazilian TV host who passed away. His daughter, Silvia Abravanel, is now a candidate for deputy with the PSD political party.
Because Brazilian election rules require candidates to make their finances public, Silvia Abravanel had to declare her assets. This information gives a look into part of her inheritance from her father.
According to the declaration, she owns a house valued at 7.5 million reais. She has also invested 17.5 million reais in fixed income products at Banco Santander, a well-known bank. In addition, she owns a company registered in the Bahamas, a group of islands often used for international business.
The combination of celebrity candidates and financial disclosures from a famous family shows how closely politics, wealth, and fame are connected in Brazil ahead of the 2026 elections.
Vocabulary9 words
- election
- a time when people vote to choose their leaders
- mascot
- a costumed character that represents a brand or show
- reality show
- a TV program showing real people in everyday or competitive situations
- candidate
- someone who is trying to win an election
- deputy
- an elected member of government who helps make laws
- declare
- to officially say something is true, often to the government
- assets
- money, property, or things owned that have value
- inheritance
- money or property received after a relative dies
- fixed income
- a type of investment that pays a steady, predictable return
Quiz
Answer key
1. Celebrities such as a pool player and a funk singer 2. Because Brazilian election rules require candidates to disclose finances 3. True
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
An unusual group of celebrities is preparing to run in São Paulo's 2026 _____. The candidates include a professional pool player, a TV _____, a former contestant from a popular _____, and a funk singer.
Meanwhile, new details have come out about the fortune left behind by Silvio Santos. His daughter, Silvia Abravanel, is now a _____ for _____ with the PSD political party.
Because Brazilian election rules require candidates to make their finances public, Silvia Abravanel had to _____ her _____. This information gives a look into part of her _____ from her father.
She has also invested 17.5 million reais in _____ products at Banco Santander. In addition, she owns a company registered in the Bahamas.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think celebrities often decide to run for political office?
- Do you think it is a good idea for famous people to become politicians? Why or why not?
- Why might election rules require candidates to declare their assets publicly?
- What do you think about wealthy families using offshore companies, such as one in the Bahamas?