Quick Facts
LibraBiography
Prince João Maria of Orléans-Braganza (15 October 1916–26 June 2005) was a French-born Brazilian soldier, pilot and airline executive.
Early and personal life
João was born in Boulogne-Billancourt, France to Pedro de Alcântara, Prince of Grão-Pará and Countess Elisabeth Dobržensky de Dobrženicz. His father had been a member of the Brazilian Imperial Family but had joined his mother Isabel, Princess Imperial of Brazil in exile after the abolition of the monarchy. When João was 19, he emigrated to Brazil.
As a young man he was a member of Ação Integralista Brasileira (AIB), a Fascist group led by writer Plínio Salgado. In 1938 he was injured in the Levante integralista, an attempt to storm the Palácio Guanabara, the residence of President Getúlio Vargas.
His first marriage to Egyptian Fatima Sherifa Chirine produced a son, Prince João Henrique. His first marriage ended in divorce in 1971. He married again in 1990 to Terez Leite.
War and working life
During World War II, João served in the Brazilian Air Force, flying Catalina flying boats. After the War, he was vice president of Pan-Air do Brasil.
Later life and legacy
João retired to Paraty on the west coast of the state of Rio de Janeiro. He died at the age of 88 in Rio de Janeiro.