Brasília, Brazil – December 25, 2025 – Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, currently serving a prison sentence for an attempted coup, underwent a successful surgical procedure to repair a painful inguinal hernia, according to his wife, Michelle Bolsonaro. The 70-year-old leader left prison briefly to receive the operation at DF Star Hospital in Brasília.

Details of the Surgery

Bolsonaro, who has been incarcerated since late November, required the surgery for a double hernia causing significant discomfort. His wife confirmed the operation was completed without complications, posting on Instagram: “Successful surgery completed, without complications. Now we wait for him to wake up from anaesthesia.”

Doctors anticipate Bolsonaro will require five to seven days of hospitalisation to recover fully. The procedure, which addresses a protrusion in the groin area due to a tear in the abdominal muscles, is considered complex but standard.

Dr. Claudio Birolini, overseeing the surgery, stated:

“It is a complex surgery, but it is a standardised … scheduled surgery, so we expect the procedure to be carried out without major complications.”

Following the hernia repair, doctors plan to assess whether Bolsonaro can undergo an additional procedure to block the phrenic nerve, which controls the diaphragm, to treat recurrent hiccups.

Medical History

Bolsonaro, president of Brazil from 2019 to 2022, has a history of medical issues. He was stabbed during a 2018 campaign rally, underwent several surgeries, and was recently diagnosed with skin cancer. Federal police doctors confirmed the need for the hernia surgery before granting him temporary release from prison.

Political Context

Bolsonaro is serving a 27-year prison term after being convicted in September by Brazil’s Supreme Court for leading a scheme to prevent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva from taking office. Bolsonaro has maintained his innocence, describing himself as a victim of political persecution.

While in prison, he has been confined to a small, well-equipped cell with air conditioning, a minibar, and a television at the federal police headquarters in Brasília.

Succession and Presidential Endorsement

On the morning of his surgery, Bolsonaro’s eldest son, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro, revealed that the former president had written a letter confirming his support for Flavio as the Liberal Party’s presidential candidate in the upcoming election.

The handwritten letter emphasized continuity of Bolsonaro’s policies, stating:

“He represents the continuation of the path of prosperity that I began well before becoming president… we must restore the responsibility of leading Brazil with justice, resolve, and loyalty to the aspirations of the Brazilian people.”

Flavio Bolsonaro read the letter publicly to clarify any doubts about his father’s endorsement of his candidacy.

Ongoing Legal and Political Developments

Bolsonaro and several allies were convicted for attempting to overthrow Brazil’s democratic system following the 2022 election. Despite his imprisonment, Bolsonaro continues to influence the political landscape, including supporting his son’s presidential ambitions.