Dilma Rousseff quotes

Dilma Rousseff is a Brazilian economist and politician who became the first female President of Brazil. Known for her leadership of the country from 2011 to 2016, she played a major role in shaping Brazilian policies during her administration. She was impeached and removed from office, but remains a prominent figure in Brazil’s political history. Here are 20 of her quotes:

I hope the fathers and mothers of little girls will look at them and say 'yes, women can.'

Dilma Rousseff

Reality has changed, and we changed with it. However, I never changed sides. I have always been on the side of justice, democracy and social equality.

Dilma Rousseff

We cannot rest while Brazilians are going hungry, while families are living in the streets, while poor children are abandoned to their own fates and while crack and crack dens rule.

Dilma Rousseff

I believe that Brazil was prepared to elect a woman. Why? Because Brazilian women achieved that. I didn't come here by myself, by my own merits. We are a majority here in this country.

Dilma Rousseff

If today is Children's Day, yesterday I said that child... the children's day is mother's day, father's day and teachers' day, but is also the day of the animals. Whenever you look at a child, there is always a hidden figure, which is a dog behind, which is something very important.

Dilma Rousseff

It'a an immense joy to be here today. I have received from millions of male and female Brazilians the most important mission of my life. This fact, beyond myself, is a demonstration of the democratic development of our country because for the first time a woman will rule Brazil.

Dilma Rousseff

Any comparison between the military dictatorship and democracy can only come from those who do not value the Brazilian democracy. (...) I am proud to have lied. Lying under torture is not easy. In the face of torture, a person with dignity lies. Enduring torture is very difficult (...) The pain is unbearable; you can not imagine how. I am proud to have lied, because I saved my comrades from the same torture and from death.

Dilma Rousseff

You got to be ready for everything in life.

Dilma Rousseff

Due to the fact that I experienced personally the situation of a political prisoner, I have an historical commitment to all those that were or are prisoners just because they expressed their views, their public opinion, their own opinions.

Dilma Rousseff

We will not define our goal, but when we reach our goal we will duplicate the goal.

Dilma Rousseff

We must contemplate the manioc.

Dilma Rousseff

When I see a kid I see a dog.

Dilma Rousseff

I do not think who will win or lose, neither will win or lose, they will win and lose. Everybody will lose.

Dilma Rousseff

We will not play with inflation. We are living a delicate moment. President Obama spoke to me today about the high unemployment affecting the United States. In this crisis period, when the developed nations are not recovering, it's prudent to maintain the established inflation target.

Dilma Rousseff

I had great admiration for the election of President Obama. I believe that the U.S. at that moment showed tremendous capacity to show that it is a great nation, and it surprised the world. It may be very difficult to be able to elect a black president in the U.S. - as it was very difficult to elect a woman president in Brazil.

Dilma Rousseff

My mission is to eradicate poverty.

Dilma Rousseff

I consider the relationship with the U.S. very important to Brazil. I will try to forge closer ties with the U.S.

Dilma Rousseff

"It is not 30% of petroleum exploration reaources. It is 30% of 25%. Or 30% of 30%. Therefore, it is no 39%. It is between 7,5% and a little more, 12,5%. So, it is not about 30 %”.

Dilma Rousseff