Augusto Cury leads presidential candidates in declared wealth; Lula's assets drop

Writer Augusto Cury boasts the largest declared fortune among potential 2026 presidential candidates in Brazil, with assets totaling R$242.2 million. Romeu Zema follows as the second wealthiest at R$178.7 million. In contrast, President Lula, who leads in opinion polls, declared R$4.8 million, and Flávio Bolsonaro reported R$8.2 million. These asset declarations are a legal requirement for candidate registration, intended to offer voters transparency regarding candidates' financial standing.

Cury's wealth is predominantly held in farms and rural properties (R$19 million), loans to companies (R$125.3 million), and corporate stakes (R$54.6 million). Zema's assets are largely concentrated in business participations, including a R$94.5 million stake in a family holding company and R$56.2 million in a multi-market fund. Zema's declared wealth saw a 15% increase since the 2022 elections, when he reported R$129.7 million (equivalent to R$155 million in current inflation-adjusted terms).

Lula's financial situation has shifted in the opposite direction. He declared R$7.4 million in 2022, which adjusted for inflation would be R$8.8 million. This year, his declared assets stand at R$4.8 million, a 46% decrease from the inflation-adjusted 2022 figure. Other candidates include Ronaldo Caiado (R$52.6 million), Wilson Grassi (R$50 million), Clariana Barão (R$1.8 million), Renan Santos (R$795,100), Edmilson Costa (R$454,500), and Samara (R$33,000). Hertz Dias and Rui Costa Pimenta reported no assets.