I was born in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, on November 26, 1952. I studied in schools that valued our language skills, so I think it is from that time and places my appreciation for the mother language.

My elementary studies were taken at Externato Ofélia Fonseca and afterwards my high school studies were at Colégio Dante Alighieri, both in São Paulo. I have a bachelor degree in Law and graduated from Faculdade de Direito of USP- São Francisco, where I majored in Criminal Law. I used to have an ideal, which was to improve Brazilian penitentiary system.

Simultaneously, I took two courses: one was about Companies’ Games and another one about Corporations Strategy, by IMI of Geneva. I also graduated in Art History from FAAP – Fundação Álvares Penteado, and Social Work from Palácio Bandeirantes. I worked as a cabinet office worker with the Honorable Governor of the State of São Paulo, Dr. Paulo Egydio Martins, where I watched over the international information and media department, among other matters.

I speak English, German, Italian, and French fluently, and I speak fairly good Spanish. As a descendant of Germans, I got to know the five continents, because I have always traveled a lot.

I was awarded a medal – Medalha Anchieta – as well as the title of Paulistana Citizen – a citizen of São Paulo City.