Former Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, 77, was hospitalized on Friday, September 21, at the Shanghai East International Medical Center, following complaints of high blood pressure, vomiting, and dizziness. Rousseff, who has been living in China since she assumed the presidency of the New Development Bank (NDB) earlier this year, is currently being treated but her condition is said to be stable and not serious.
The information about Rousseff’s hospitalization was confirmed by various sources, including the Brazilian media outlet Folha de S.Paulo, and Karam C. Seshi, the director of the Shanghai facility. Following her hospitalization, she canceled her participation at upcoming meetings with finance ministers and central bank presidents from the BRICS countries, set to take place this week in Cape Town, South Africa.
Rousseff’s hospitalization sparked immediate concern among her colleagues and political allies. José Guimarães, the leader of the government in the Chamber of Deputies, reassured the public on social media: “I wish our President Dilma Rousseff, who is hospitalized in Shanghai for treatment of what is considered by doctors as non-serious discomfort, swift recovery.” Guimarães used the platform X (formerly Twitter) to express his sentiments, and he was joined by fellow politicians from the Workers' Party (PT), who also wished her speedy recovery.
Rousseff has been particularly active as president of the NDB, which serves as the investment arm of the BRICS group—a coalition of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa focused on fostering economic cooperation among member states. Initially, Rousseff’s tenure at the NDB was supposed to end in July 2025, but negotiations between Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Russian President Vladimir Putin have resulted in her term being extended for another five years.
The NDB, headquartered in Shanghai, has become central to Rousseff’s post-presidential career, providing her with the opportunity to engage with key international figures and influence global economic strategies. Recent reports indicate she is slated to begin reporting to President Putin when he takes over the rotating presidency of the NDB later this summer.
According to sources close to Rousseff, she began feeling unwell last week and had already opted out of attending the G-20 finance ministers meeting due to what was preliminarily described as symptoms of labrynthitis. Her health issues raise concern, particularly since she has had prior medical emergencies, including heart surgery back in 2021. During such surgery, she underwent closure of a patent foramen ovale (PFO), which is typically considered to prevent the risk of strokes from potential blood clots.
Despite current health concerns, Rousseff remains supported by numerous politicians. Ana Pimentel, also from the PT, shared her well wishes online: “I wish for a swift and full recovery for our former President Dilma Rousseff, who was hospitalized after feeling unwell. I’m confident she'll soon be back to her important work at the helm of the BRICS Bank.”
Rousseff was the first female president of Brazil, serving from 2011 until her impeachment and removal from office in 2016. Her return to the public eye as the head of the NDB marks her significant comeback on the international political stage following years of controversy and political turbulence surrounding her presidency.
She is receiving support and prayers from both family members and constituents during this challenging time. Her nephew, Pedro Rousseff, who is also involved in local politics as a councilman for the same party, stated, “The news received has been scarce, but she is stable. We, as family, do not have additional information at this moment.”
The public is encouraged to follow updates from her family and the NDB for information on her health status, as the former president works toward recovery. Meanwhile, the Brazil financial and political communities express their hopes for her quick return to leadership duties.
Rousseff’s case reflects broader issues of health and leadership, and it serves as both a reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by political figures and the importance of public support during such unfortunate times. The coming days will be pivotal for her recovery and return to duties at the prestigious financial institution.