Quadros, Jânio da Silva (1917-1992)

Brazilian politician and president 1961. He was a political independent who gained a huge majority in the 1960 presidential elections. His implementation of economic reforms on taking office encountered unprecedented opposition in congress with the result that he only served a seven-month term as president before resigning and seeking exile. His resignation caused national chaos; he was succeeded by his equally controversial vice president João Goulart.

Quadros eventually returned to his country, was rehabilitated and became, in 1985, mayor of the state of São Paulo again (he had been mayor once before from 1953 to 1959).