Emílio Garrastazú Médici
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| Term of office: | October 30, 1969–March 15, 1974 |
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| Predecessor: | Military Junta |
| Successor: | Ernesto Geisel |
| Date of birth: | December 4, 1905 |
| Place of birth: | Bagé, Rio Grande do Sul |
| Date of death: | October 9, 1985 |
| Place of death: | Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro |
| Party: | National Renewal Alliance Party - ARENA |
Emílio Garrastazú Médici (December 4, 1905–October 9, 1985) was a Brazilian military leader and politician. His rule marked the apex of military governments in Brazil.
Early life
Médici was born in Bagé, Rio Grande do Sul state, he was descendant of an Italian-Spanish family. In the 1920's he entered in the Army where he was steadly promoted, becoming general in 1961.
Médici was a close ally of Marshal Artur da Costa e Silva, who became president of Brazil in 1967. Also in this year Médici was appointed chief of the National Information Service (SNI).
Presidency
Two years later he become commandant of the Third Army when he was elected president of Brazil by the Congress, to succeed Costa e Silva, who was ill. Médici took oath on October 30, 1969 and served until the end of his term, March 15, 1974.
During his tenure, he established a strong military government, suppressing the press and opposition to his rule, mostly from leftist guerrillas. On the other hand, the Brazilian economy grew at a fast pace, at a rate of 10% per year. Big constructions like Transamazônica road, Itaipu dam and Rio-Niterói bridge started during Médici's term.
See also
Categories: Brazilian people stubs | Politician stubs | 1905 births | 1985 deaths | Italian-Brazilians
