Carlos Francisco Theodoro Machado Ribeiro de Lessa, better known as Carlos Lessa was a Brazilian economist and professor. He died from Covid-19 on June 5, 2020.
Born in July 30, 1936 in Rio de Janeiro to a wealthy family, Lessa studied at private schools in his native city.
In 1959, he graduated in economics at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and later got a Master's degree at Conselho Nacional de Economia. In 1980 he finished his doctor's degree in Human sciences at University of Campinas.
Lessa worked as a professor at Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and at the Rio Branco Institute, the Brazilian diplomatic graduate school.
In 2002, Lessa was elected Rector of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. It was his post for a brief period of time between July 2002 and March 2003.
In 2003, Lessa was appointed President of the Brazilian Development Bank by Brazilian President Luiz Ina¡cio Lula da Silva. His tenure lasted from January
2003 to November 2004 and his resignation was a result of multiple disagreements over economic policies with Central Bank of Brazil President Henrique Meirelles and Minister of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade Luiz Fernando Furlan
Lessa was a huge fan of Brazilian Carnival and founded Minerva Assanhada, a Carnival block composed mostly of Federal University of Rio de Janeiro students and personnel.
Lessa's son, Rodrigo Lessa is a singer-songwriter and Multi-instrumentalist.
On June 5, 2020, Lessa died in Rio de Janeiro at the age of 83 due to complications brought on by COVID-19.