Maria Iolanda Vecchio Mauricio Viana

BIOGRAPHY

Maria Iolanda Vecchio Mauricio Viana was born on 9 September 1914. She attended the UFMG Faculty of Medicine and graduated in 1938 as part of Class 22. In 1933, she achieved first place in the medical entrance exam, earning an average score of 9 in the oral exam phase, out of a total of 157 candidates. She later pursued postgraduate studies in Paris, France. It is said that she consistently achieved straight A’s throughout her academic career, from primary school all the way through to her oral exam before the examination board.

At some point, she married Lourival Vilela Viana, a lawyer, and they had four children. One of their sons, Virgílio, is a prominent expert in forestry, environmental issues, and sustainable development in Brazil. Her husband served as the dean of the Federal University of Minas Gerais Law School until he was removed from office by the dictatorship. However, following the Amnesty, he was reinstated and resumed his duties at the same institution.

At the age of 101, she remarked that old age had not yet caught up with her. Even then, she still enjoyed reading, writing, and exercising. She shared that, since childhood, she had made it a habit to do Swedish exercises in the bathroom before showering, a routine she continued every day. At that time, she remained devout, stating that she continued to fulfill her duties as a Catholic by praying at least one Hail Mary each night.