On April 30, 2025, renowned journalist and writer Míriam Leitão was elected to chair number 7 of the Academia Brasileira de Letras (ABL), marking a significant milestone in her illustrious career. The election took place at the Petit Trianon, the ABL headquarters in Rio de Janeiro, where she secured her position with 20 votes, defeating former senator and minister Cristovam Buarque, who garnered 14 votes. This victory not only highlights Leitão's esteemed reputation but also enhances the representation of women within the ABL, which now counts five female members among its 40 academics.
Míriam Leitão, 72, succeeds filmmaker Cacá Diegues, who passed away in February 2025. Her election is a testament to her dedication and contributions to Brazilian journalism and literature over the past five decades. "I am still impacted by the election; it is a tremendous honor to join an institution that defends literature, Brazil, and the Portuguese language," she expressed after her win.
Born on April 7, 1953, in Caratinga, Minas Gerais, Míriam is the sixth of twelve children of Uriel and Mariana, both educators. She began her professional journey in journalism in Espírito Santo before moving to Brasília, São Paulo, and finally settling in Rio de Janeiro in 1986. Over the span of her career, she has worked for various media outlets, including Gazeta Mercantil and Jornal do Brasil. Since 1991, she has been a prominent figure in the Globo group, serving as a columnist for O Globo, a commentator for the program Bom Dia Brasil, and anchoring her own interview show on Globonews.
Leitão's literary repertoire includes 16 published books across diverse genres, such as non-fiction, chronicles, novels, and children's literature. Her notable works include Saga Brasileira: a longa luta de um povo por sua moeda, which won the Jabuti Prize for Best Reportage Book and Book of the Year of Non-Fiction in 2012, and Amazônia na Encruzilhada, which earned her the Troféu Juca Pato in 2024, recognizing her as the intellectual of the year.
Throughout her career, Míriam has received numerous accolades for her contributions to journalism. Among her honors are the Maria Moors Cabot Award from Columbia University, the Vladimir Herzog Human Rights Award for her documentary História Inacabada, which addresses the disappearance of Rubens Paiva, and the Esso Award for her report on the indigenous people Awá Guajá.
Leitão's commitment to social issues is deeply rooted in her personal history. At the age of 19, she was arrested and tortured under the National Security Law for opposing the military dictatorship in Brazil. This experience has shaped her advocacy for democracy and freedom of expression, making her a significant voice in contemporary discussions on these topics.
Her election to the ABL is not just a personal achievement but also a step forward for female representation in Brazilian literature and academia. With Míriam's addition, the ABL now has five women among its ranks, a notable increase in a historically male-dominated institution. This change reflects a broader shift towards inclusivity and recognition of women's contributions to literature and culture.
Looking ahead, the ABL is set to hold further elections in May 2025 to fill the vacancies left by the late Heloisa Teixeira and Marcos Vilaça, who occupied chairs 30 and 26, respectively. As the ABL continues to evolve, Míriam Leitão's presence is expected to bring fresh perspectives and insights to the esteemed institution.
In addition to her journalistic and literary endeavors, Míriam is also a family woman. She is married to political scientist Sérgio Abranches and is a mother to two children, Vladimir Netto and Matheus Leitão, as well as a stepmother to Rodrigo Abranches. She enjoys spending time with her four grandchildren, Mariana, Daniel, Manuela, and Isabel, balancing her professional life with family commitments.
With her extensive experience, profound insights, and unwavering commitment to social justice, Míriam Leitão's election to the ABL is not only a celebration of her past achievements but also a promising indication of her future contributions to Brazilian literature and journalism. As she takes her seat among the immortals of the ABL, her journey serves as an inspiration for aspiring journalists and writers, particularly women, who seek to make their mark in the world of literature and media.
