São Paulo's 2nd Family and Successions Court granted on Wednesday (April 15) a request by Fernando Henrique Cardoso's sons to interdict the 94-year-old former president due to advanced Alzheimer's, appointing Paulo Henrique Cardoso as provisional curator to manage his finances and assets. The measure, filed the previous day, protects FHC, who is deemed incapable of civil acts.
The petition was filed on Tuesday (14th) in São Paulo's 2nd Family and Successions Court at Foro Central Cível by FHC's sons Paulo Henrique, Luciana, and Beatriz, and granted as a preliminary injunction the next day by Judge Ana Lúcia Xavier Goldman. Lawyers Caetano Berenguer, Fabiano Robalinho, and Henrique Ávila from Bermudes Advogados signed the request, stating FHC has become 'incapable of performing civil acts' due to the disease. The process is under seal.
Paulo Henrique Cardoso, who already managed his father's finances and daily affairs at his request, was appointed provisional curator for patrimonial acts, with support from his sisters. The court decision requires him to obtain consent from FHC's partner, Patrícia Kundrát (stable union since 2014), within 15 days, and confirmation of FHC's mobility capacity and reaction to the writ.
Judicial interdiction, or curatorship, declares the patient incapable of civil acts due to illness and serves primarily as protection, per family law specialist Camila Monzani Gozzi. The curator manages assets and reports to the court but does not interfere in personal matters like health or family, as outlined in the Statute of Persons with Disabilities. The measure is provisional pending full evaluation and can be reviewed.
FHC's advanced Alzheimer's involves severe memory loss, disorientation, communication difficulties, and dependence on daily activities. Neurologist Rodrigo Schultz, former Abraz president, notes: 'The advanced stage is the longest and not always an extreme picture of total dependence.' Care includes nutrition, skin lesion prevention, home safety, and sensory stimuli like music, advises USP gerontologist Thaís Bento Lima.
The family and FHC Foundation described it as a 'strictly private matter' and will not comment. FHC (PSDB) governed Brazil from 1995-2002 and remained politically active, voting for Lula in 2022.
