Jose Alencar: Vice President of Brazil Dies at 79

Jose Alencar was a Brazilian businessman and politician who served as vice president from 2003 to 2011. Born on October 17, 1931, in Muriae, Minas Gerais, he left school early to help his family's business.

He founded the textile manufacturer Coteminas in 1967 and became one of Brazil's richest people. He was elected senator for Minas Gerais in 1998 and served as vice president under Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, also serving as defense minister from 2004 to 2006.

He was diagnosed with stomach and kidney cancer in 1997 and fought the disease for 13 years. Alencar died in Sao Paulo on March 29, 2011, at age 79.

Achievements: Vice President of Brazil (2003-2011), founder of Coteminas.

Birth: October 17, 1931 - Muriae, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Profession: Businessman and politician.

Interesting Facts: He often criticized his own government's interest rate policy.