Early Life and Family
Joao Moreira Salles was born in Rio de Janeiro in 1962. He comes from a distinguished family with deep roots in Brazilian banking. His father, Walther Moreira Salles, founded Unibanco, which later merged with Itau, forming Itau-Unibanco, Latin America's largest bank. Joao's brothers are also billionaires, and they collectively own stakes in Companhia Brasileira de Metalurgia e Mineração (CBMM), the world's leading supplier of niobium.
Rise to Success and Career
Salles's career path has been diverse. He is a renowned documentarian and film producer, with several acclaimed works to his credit. Some of his notable documentaries include *Nelson Freire* (2003), *Entreatos* (2004), and *Santiago* (2006). He also founded the influential magazine *Piauí* in 2006, contributing to the Brazilian cultural landscape. In addition to his film and media ventures, he is involved in the banking industry, building on his family's legacy. Salles is also involved with the Instituto Moreira Salles, a non-profit organization supporting cultural projects.
Key Business Strategies and Investments
Salles's wealth is primarily derived from banking and mineral interests through his family's holdings. The family's strategic investments in CBMM, a leading niobium producer, have been a significant source of their wealth. The family's holding company, Brasil Warrant Gestao de Investimentos, also known as BWGI, manages investments for the family. In 2024, the family office managed nearly $11 billion in assets.
Philanthropy
Joao Moreira Salles and his wife, Branca, founded the Serrapilheira Institute, a private institute dedicated to promoting and supporting scientific research and its divulgation in Brazil. The initial donation for the institute was approximately R$20 million.
