Sarney de Araújo Costa, José
Sarney de Araújo Costa, José,
1930–, Brazilian politician, president of Brazil (1985–90), b. José Ribamar Ferreira de Araújo Costa. He served as a federal deputy (1958–64), governor of Maranhâo (1965–70), and federal senator (1970–84). He became vice president in the elections (1985) ending military rule, and was sworn in as president upon the death of President-elect Neves (Apr., 1985). The nascent democracy over which he presided faced severe problems including a massive foreign debt, massive inflation, endemic unemployment, poverty, and social injustice. During his term, a Constituent Assembly wrote a new democratic constitution. He was succeeded by Fernando Collor de MelloCollor de Mello, Fernando, 1949–, president of Brazil (1990–92). In 1990, he became the youngest president of Brazil following the first public election in 29 years.
..... Click the link for more information. . Sarney again served in the Brazilian senate (until 2015) after his presidency, and was elected senate president four times (1995, 2003, 2009, 2011).