Renata Saldanha, the recent winner of the 25th edition of Big Brother Brasil (BBB 25), has been navigating a whirlwind of changes since her triumphant exit from the reality show. The 27-year-old from Ceará has not only gained national fame but also re-established contact with her father, with whom she shares a distant relationship.
In an interview with the newspaper Extra on May 9, 2025, Renata revealed that her father reached out to congratulate her on her victory, expressing his happiness and sharing messages about God. "He sent me congratulations for winning the program, said he was very happy and that he had been following it. He wrote messages talking about God, nothing with second intentions," she explained.
Despite this newfound connection, Renata emphasized that their relationship remains distant. "We’re not totally disconnected from each other; he sends me sporadic messages, like on my birthday. But we don’t have a close relationship," she noted. Renata's mother, Eulália, has been a constant source of support throughout her life, ensuring that she never went without, even during challenging times.
Renata's journey to fame has not been without its struggles. Growing up in the Comunidade do Barroso in Fortaleza, she faced financial limitations that shaped her childhood. "My childhood was joyful despite the obstacles. Money was tight, but my mother always found a way to provide for us. The fear of assaults and invasions was a constant part of our lives," she recalled.
Even as she celebrates her victory and the R$ 2.72 million prize, which has yet to be deposited into her account, Renata has already begun to pay off some debts incurred from previous work. During a recent appearance on the show Encontro com Patrícia Poeta, she stated that while she is not officially a millionaire yet, she is managing her finances wisely.
Renata secured her victory in BBB 25 with 51.90% of the public vote, surpassing her competitors Guilherme, who received 43.38%, and João Pedro, who garnered 4.72%. Her journey on the show began alongside her childhood friend Eva, with whom she won the first resistance test, securing immunity for both contestants right from the start.
Reflecting on her experiences, Renata credits her mother as a significant influence in her life. "My mother taught me that no dream is impossible. She never coddled me; if I didn’t succeed in an audition, she would tell me that someone else had prepared better and encourage me to work harder. She wanted to change our perspective on life, showing me that we could aspire for more than what our circumstances suggested," Renata stated.
Throughout her time on the show, Renata’s resilience and determination shone through, traits she attributes to her upbringing. "I always had to juggle different jobs to help our family finances. I taught dance classes, worked as a makeup artist, and created digital content. I even had to invest in a new phone to produce quality videos for my online classes during the pandemic," she explained.
As she steps into the next chapter of her career, Renata has already begun to embrace new opportunities. She, along with fellow contestants Aline Patriarca and Vinícius Nascimento, has had her contract renewed with Globo, the network behind BBB. This move aligns her with the ViU talent agency, which focuses on managing influencers and celebrities for advertising campaigns and special projects.
In her social media posts, Renata expressed her excitement about joining the ViU team. "Being invited to this team is more than an achievement; it’s a recognition of my journey and dreams. I feel happy, prepared, and my heart is vibrating for everything we will build moving forward," she shared.
As Renata continues to adapt to her newfound fame and success, she remains grounded by her past experiences and the support of her mother. Her story is a testament to resilience, showcasing how determination and hard work can lead to remarkable achievements, even from humble beginnings.
While Renata navigates her new life as a reality star, she also reflects on the importance of her family ties. Her relationship with her father, although not close, is a reminder of the complexities of family dynamics. "I’m not traumatized by the abandonment; I’ve learned to focus on the positive influences in my life, especially my mother," she concluded.
Renata Saldanha’s journey from the Comunidade do Barroso to the winner of BBB 25 is an inspiring narrative of overcoming adversity and achieving dreams. As she embraces her new reality, fans and followers eagerly await her next steps in the entertainment industry.
