Clodovil Hernandes

Clodovil Hernandes
Federal Deputy for  São Paulo
In office January 1, 2007 – March 17, 2009
Personal details
Born	June 17, 1937 Elisiário, São Paulo, Brazil
Died	March 17, 2009 (aged 71) Brasília, Federal District, Brazil
Political party	Christian Labour Party
Occupation	Stylist TV presenter Politician Philanthropist

Clodovil Hernandes (Brazilian Portuguese: [klo'doviw eɾ'nɐ̃dʒis]; Elisiário, June 17, 1937 – Brasília, March 17, 2009) was a Brazilian fashion designer, television presenter, and politician. Hernandes made his fame as a fashion stylist during the 60s and 70s, after which he was invited to work on television. His dedication and fame on television lasted for over 40 years and various television stations. In his political career, Hernandes was known for statements deemed inappropriate, often directed at other famous personalities. Among other controversies, he was accused of racism and antisemitism. Hernandes was the first openly gay congressman in Brazil.

Hernandes was raised by a Spanish immigrant couple (Diego Hernández and Isabel Sánchez), and never apparently knew his biological parents. He had great affection for his adoptive mother, a Spanish immigrant from Andalusia. One of his projects in the Chamber of Deputies was to create the Dia da Mãe Adotiva (Adoptive Mother's Day) that would be celebrated on the third Sunday of May. Hernandes was educated in a Catholic school; besides his native Portuguese, he could speak Spanish (his parents' language) and French.

Hernandes began his career as a stylist at age 16. In the 1960s he gained fame as a designer of haute couture.

In the 1980s Hernandes became a TV personality with appearances on Rede Globo's "TV Mulher", one of the first Brazilian shows dedicated to the contemporary woman. His career as a TV presenter had its ups and downs throughout the 90s. Although he had a strong female following, his explicit right-wing position and unstable relations with co-workers led to frequent job losses.

...
Wikipedia