10 Ordinary Brazilians Who Became True Super Heroes

When we think of heroes, we immediately think of movies and comics that tell the story of beings endowed with superhuman abilities and cause us to feel excited and want to have a superpower.

Real-life superheroes do not participate in films with rehearsed scenes or special effects, but even though they are afraid, they face all challenges, even if, in some cases, they have to sacrifice their own lives.

O Incredible.club brought together ordinary Brazilians who became true super heroes.

In 2017, the mining town of Janaúba (Minas Gerais) became sadly famous for a fire in a day care center that left 14 dead and was caused by a security guard who worked there. Heley, who was the daycare teacher, in an act of bravery, hugged the criminal, in a way to prevent the attack from continuing and also helped in the rescue of the injured children. She was left with 90% of her body burned and could not resist the injuries.

The government awarded Heley the “National Order of Merit” that commemorates the teacher’s gesture of courage and heroism who sacrificed her life. In Fortaleza, as a form of tribute, an Educational Center called Professor Heley de Abreu Silva Batista was created.

Luiz Dantas, from Rio de Janeiro, was the ambassador of Brazil to France during World War II, who favored the entry into Brazil of Jews or those threatened by Nazism, through the issuance of diplomatic visas — it is estimated that more than 1000 were issued — that violated Brazilian norms and were prohibited by the Brazilian government, which was living in the Vargas Era.

In 2003, Souza Dantas was recognized with the title “Fair Among the Nations”, awarded to those who risked their lives in defense of Jews persecuted by Nazism.

Ricardo, a loading and unloading assistant, was a resident of the Wilton Paes de Almeida building, in São Paulo, which collapsed in a fire in May 2018. Even out of danger during the fire, he decided to help the firefighters to rescue people and managed to save four children who were inside the building. Then Ricardo returned to look for more victims, but the burning building collapsed and he did not survive.

Zilda Arns, physician and public health specialist, was one of the founders of Pastoral da Criança, which is present in 20 countries and has an extensive network of volunteers. Through the methodology created by Zilda, the entity helps mothers in pregnancy, childbirth and child development up to 6 years old, reducing infant mortality. Zilda also created the Pastoral da Pessoa Idosa which, with the intense dedication of volunteers, redefines the way of life of thousands of elderly people. Throughout her life, Zilda received several national and international decorations and left us a legacy of solidarity and protection of the most needy people.

Carlos Eduardo, sportsman and former lifeguard, real life hero, threw himself into the sea and risked his life to rescue 5 people from the same family who had been dragged by the current on Atalaia beach in Itajaí, Santa Catarina . After the rescue, Carlos provided first aid to the victims until the firefighters arrived. The Municipality of Itajaí decorated Carlos, recognizing him for his act of bravery.

Vinícius, a physical education student, was present at the tragedy that occurred in Santa Maria (Rio Grande do Sul) in 2013, the fire at Kiss nightclub. Even outside the building, free from danger, he decided to go back inside the nightclub to rescue people and in his heroic act he saved at least 14 people. Vinicius was found unconscious by firefighters inside the nightclub, but did not survive.

The Alma Rugby Trophy 2013 paid a posthumous tribute to Vinícius with the dedication of the most outstanding award to this hero, who was very connected to rugby, being the forerunner of the sport in Santa Maria.

Aracy was a polyglot born in Rio Negro (Paraná) and worked at the Brazilian consulate in Hamburg in the passport section. With that, he helped Jews to escape Nazism and enter Brazil, through the issuance of visas considered illegal. Aracy became known as the “Angel of Hamburg” and, like the Brazilian Souza Dantas, was recognized with the title “Fair Among the Nations”, being the only woman mentioned in the Jerusalem Holocaust Museum among the 18 diplomats who risked their lives to save Holocaust Jews.

In 2011, there was torrential rain in the Serrana region of Rio de Janeiro, in the Vale do Cuiabá neighborhood, which caused a flood that put many lives in danger. A resident of the region, bricklayer Adalberto, was with his family when their house collapsed in the middle of the water. As no one knew how to swim, Adalberto was in charge of saving his entire family and he succeeded, being recognized as a hero by everyone in the community.

In 2015, all of Brazil followed the news about the biggest socio-environmental disaster in the country, the rupture of the Mariana dam (Minas Gerais). Paula, who works as a General Services assistant, as soon as she realized what had happened, went out into the streets screaming and honking with a motorcycle, to alert everyone that the dam had burst. Even with difficulties along the way and at risk of death, Paula continued and managed to save many lives with her attitude. She received several honors and became featured in several newspapers.

Caio Vianna, born in Matozinho (Minas Gerais) was a scout who at the age of 15 became a hero, for showing bravery and empathy, ignoring his own pain in order to help others. In 1938, Caio and a group of scouts took a train excursion that ended up turning into a tragedy when it collided with another freight train coming in the opposite direction.

Even though he was seriously injured, he spared no effort in rescuing the wounded. Gaius refused to be taken on a stretcher, as he realized that there would not be stretchers for everyone. He and his friends preferred to go on foot to the nearest city, but in the face of so much effort, Gaius could not resist internal injuries.

In Juiz de Fora (MG) there is a monument as a tribute to Carlos Vianna.

These are the real heroes of real life, they showed courage, bravery and empathy that even exposed to countless risks, they only cared about saving people, even if it cost their own lives.

Know any other real-life heroes? Tell us.