Eike Batista agora é ex-bilionário, de acordo com o ranking da ‘Bloomberg’
Fortuna do empresário despencou 99,42% em um ano, passando de US$ 34,5 bilhões para US$ 200 milhões
Mostrando postagens com marcador bilionários. Mostrar todas as postagens
Mostrando postagens com marcador bilionários. Mostrar todas as postagens
sexta-feira, 26 de julho de 2013
Capitalista dos companheiros vai ter de reduzir mesada dos ditos cujos
Já não se fazem bilionários como antigamente. Alguns, que dependiam de favores estatais, são reversíveis...
domingo, 20 de janeiro de 2013
Teologia da Prosperidade: os mais ricos baroes-ladroes da elite brasileira, os "pastores" evangelicos (espertos, claro...)
Melhor que encontrar petróleo, vender armas ou traficar drogas: tudo isso dá muito trabalho, requer muito investimento e sempre tem as chateações dos fenômenos naturais, dos governos, da fiscalização dos impostos e essas coisas aborrecidas.
Explorar os incautos, os idiotas e os ingênuos é muito melhor: basta um pouco de saliva, decorar vários versículos da Bíblia e o milagre está feito: o dinheiro corre como água direto da fonte para a sua conta bancária.
Os exploradores da ingenuidade alheia são, como diria Marx, o ópio do povo, os maiores traficantes das crendices dos mais simples, os aproveitadores dos sofrimentos dos desprovidos, os criminosos de gravata e Bíblia na mão.
Como diria Einstein, duas coisas são infinitas no mundo: o universo e a idiotice humana, e ele não estava seguro quanto à primeira. Ou como diria um bookmaker inglês: nunca, alguém perdeu dinheiro apostando na estupidez humana...
Os pastores estão aí para provar que tudo isso é verdade...
Paulo Roberto de Almeida
Religion has always been a profitable business. And if you happen to
be a Brazilian evangelical preacher, chances of hitting a heavenly
jackpot are actually pretty high these days. Even though Brazil
remains the world’s largest Catholic country, with about 123.2 million
of its population of approximately 191 million defining themselves as
followers of the Vatican-based church, the latest census figures pointed
to a strong decline among the ranks of Roman Catholics, who now account
for 64.6% of the country’s population–down from 92% in 1970.
Meanwhile, the number of Protestant evangelicals has soared from 15.4% of Brazil’s population just a decade ago to 22.2%, or 42.3 million people. It’s likely that the downward trend for Catholicism will continue and it’s estimated that by 2030, Catholics will represent less than 50% of Brazilian churchgoers.
So why are evangelicals taking over Brazil’s religious scene?
One of the evangelicals’ most appealing qualities is their belief that material progress results from God’s favor. While Catholicism still preaches a very conservative look to an afterlife instead of earthly riches, evangelicals–especially the ‘neo-Pentecostal’ ones–are taught that it’s all right to be prosperous. This doctrine, known as ‘Prosperity Theology,’ is in the foundation of the most successful evangelical churches in Brazil.
IN PHOTOS: The World’s Billionaires
The value of material progress in Brazil’s evangelicalism is explicit and actively promoted. Aline Barros, a Grammy-award winning singer-turned-preacher who has over 900,000 followers on Twitter, puts it like this: “What have you done for the Kingdom of God? What have you produced for God? If you are alive, you’ve got the breath of life–produce!”
It seems to be working. As has been widely reported, Brazil has experienced a period of great economic growth over the past few years. The country’s economic success has not only lifted millions of Brazilians out of poverty, but it has also raised the expectations of a new lower-middle class–known as the ‘C Class.’ With the very rich and the very poor remaining staunchly Catholic, the majority of Protestant evangelicals in Brazil are in this category, and they have found in the religion a way of being thankful for their good fortune as well as an excuse to enjoy their new status in society without guilt.
In other words, they are eager to give back to the church, to perhaps bear some of the load. This has ended up turning some churches into highly lucrative businesses and making some leaders into multi-millionaires. It’s the so-called “Industry of Faith.”
Take “Bishop” Edir Macedo, for example. The founder and leader of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God, which also has temples in the United States, Macedo is by far the richest pastor in Brazil, with a net worth estimated by several Brazilian business magazines* at $950 million (one government arm in Brazil estimates an even higher sum). He is continuously involved in scandals, mostly due to allegations that his organization had siphoned off billions of dollars of donations intended for charity. There have also been official charges of fraud and money laundering. Yet Macedo has managed to keep his flock of followers throughout the years.
One of the fathers of the modern Prosperity Theology, Macedo even spent eleven days in jail in 1992 due to charges of charlatanism. Macedo has denied all the accusations against him in Brazil, but he is still under prosecution by US authorities as well as Venezuelan authorities.
As an evangelical writer, he stands out with more than 10 million books sold, some of which are extremely critical of the Catholic Church and a number of Brazilian Afro-religions. His biggest move was in the late 1980s, when he acquired control of Rede Record, currently Brazil’s second largest broadcaster. His other assets include a newspaper, Folha Universal, which has a circulation of over 2.5 million in Brazil, a news channel, Record News, music label companies, state-of-the-art properties and a $45 million Bombardier Global Express XRS private jet. Macedo’s spokesperson said he would not comment on personal affairs.
IN PHOTOS: The World’s Richest Women
Following in Macedo’s footsteps is Valdemiro Santiago. A former preacher within the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God, he was reportedly expelled from the institution after some misunderstandings with its boss, of whom he was a protégé. That was enough for him to found his own church–the World Church of the Power of God, which has more than 900,000 followers and over 4,000 temples, many of which are adorned with images of him on billboards. He made headlines last year after reportedly dropping $45 million on a private jet identical to that of Macedo’s. Several Brazilian business magazines estimate his net worth at $220 million. A call and email to Santiago’s church were not returned.
Then there’s Silas Malafaia, the leader of the Brazilian arm of the Assembly of God, Brazil’s biggest Pentecostal church. The most outspoken of his colleagues, Malafaia is constantly involved in controversies related to the gay community in Brazil, of which he proudly declares himself to be the biggest nemesis. The supporter of a law that could classify homosexualism as a disease in Brazil, Malafaia is also a prominent figure on Twitter, where he is followed by more than 440,000 users. In 2011, Malafaia–who’s worth an estimated $150 million according to several Brazilian business publications–launched a campaign called “The One Million Souls Club,” that aims to raise $500 million (R$ 1 billion) for his church in order to create a global television network that would be broadcast in 137 countries. Those interested in contributing to the campaign can donate sums starting at $500 (R$ 1,000), that can be paid in installments. In exchange, donors will receive a book.
Possibly the most active in multimedia among Brazilian preachers is the singer, composer and televangelist Romildo Ribeiro Soares, simply known as R.R. Soares. As the founder of the International Church of the Grace of God, Soares is one of the most regular faces on Brazilian TV. Another former member of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God–he is the brother-in-law of Macedo–the self-entitled “missionary” Soares is said to be the humblest among his peers. His private jet–a King Air 350 — is worth a “modest” $5 million. Soares’ estimated net worth (also from several Brazilian business publications): $125 million. Soares’ spokesperson did not return calls or emails.
The founders of the Reborn in Christ Church, “Apostle” Estevam Hernandes Filho and his wife, “Bishop” Sonia, oversee more than 1,000 churches in Brazil and abroad, including several in Florida. With a combined net worth estimated at $65 million by several Brazilian business magazines, the couple made international headlines in 2007 when they were arrested in Miami, accused of carrying more than $56,000 in undeclared cash. Some of the money had been stuffed between the pages of their Bibles, according to U.S. customs agents who detained the couple at the Miamiairport. They were returned to Brazil a year later. They are also still under prosecution in Brazil for a number of other crimes, including for the collapse of ceiling at one of their temples, which caused 9 deaths.
The arrest and allegations in Brazil of systematic embezzlement have resonated loudly. In December 2010, Brazilian soccer star Kaka, who was friends with the Hernandes couple and a member of their church, left the institution, reportedly because of their leadership mishandling of money. Kaka had reportedly donated more than $1 million (R$ 2 million) to the church during the time he was one of its most well known members. A spokesperson for the Hernandes couple did not respond to emails and phone calls.
Becoming an evangelical preacher in Brazil is the dream of many young people across the country. Contrary to more traditional protestant churches that require their pastors to have at least a masters degree, the neo-Pentecostal churches such as the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God offer intensive courses to “create” pastors for as much a little as $350 ( R$ 700) for a few days of classes. It’s not only about money (Malafaia pays up to $11,000 per month to the most talented members of his pastor’s crew, according to Veja SP magazine), but also about power.
Many Brazilian pastors have been given diplomatic passports in the past few years. Some, especially those who lead big churches, are courted by politicians at election time, not to mention that as in many countries around the globe, churches are exempt of taxes in Brazil, which can sometimes create a very convenient loophole.
As the Bible says, faith moves mountains. And money, too.
*Estimates for net worths were based on numbers reported by Brazil’s Public Ministry of the Union and Federal Police, as well as estimates of the value of each pastor’s private holdings, as reported by Brazilian media, including magazines Veja, Exame, IstoÉ, IstoÉ Dinheiro and newspapers Folha de S. Paulo, O Globo and O Estado de S. Paulo.
Explorar os incautos, os idiotas e os ingênuos é muito melhor: basta um pouco de saliva, decorar vários versículos da Bíblia e o milagre está feito: o dinheiro corre como água direto da fonte para a sua conta bancária.
Os exploradores da ingenuidade alheia são, como diria Marx, o ópio do povo, os maiores traficantes das crendices dos mais simples, os aproveitadores dos sofrimentos dos desprovidos, os criminosos de gravata e Bíblia na mão.
Como diria Einstein, duas coisas são infinitas no mundo: o universo e a idiotice humana, e ele não estava seguro quanto à primeira. Ou como diria um bookmaker inglês: nunca, alguém perdeu dinheiro apostando na estupidez humana...
Os pastores estão aí para provar que tudo isso é verdade...
Paulo Roberto de Almeida
Forbes Magazine, 1/17/2013 @ 7:00PM |46,530 views
The Richest Pastors In Brazil
"Bishop" Edir Macedo, founder of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God: Brazil's Richest pastor.
Meanwhile, the number of Protestant evangelicals has soared from 15.4% of Brazil’s population just a decade ago to 22.2%, or 42.3 million people. It’s likely that the downward trend for Catholicism will continue and it’s estimated that by 2030, Catholics will represent less than 50% of Brazilian churchgoers.
So why are evangelicals taking over Brazil’s religious scene?
One of the evangelicals’ most appealing qualities is their belief that material progress results from God’s favor. While Catholicism still preaches a very conservative look to an afterlife instead of earthly riches, evangelicals–especially the ‘neo-Pentecostal’ ones–are taught that it’s all right to be prosperous. This doctrine, known as ‘Prosperity Theology,’ is in the foundation of the most successful evangelical churches in Brazil.
IN PHOTOS: The World’s Billionaires
The value of material progress in Brazil’s evangelicalism is explicit and actively promoted. Aline Barros, a Grammy-award winning singer-turned-preacher who has over 900,000 followers on Twitter, puts it like this: “What have you done for the Kingdom of God? What have you produced for God? If you are alive, you’ve got the breath of life–produce!”
It seems to be working. As has been widely reported, Brazil has experienced a period of great economic growth over the past few years. The country’s economic success has not only lifted millions of Brazilians out of poverty, but it has also raised the expectations of a new lower-middle class–known as the ‘C Class.’ With the very rich and the very poor remaining staunchly Catholic, the majority of Protestant evangelicals in Brazil are in this category, and they have found in the religion a way of being thankful for their good fortune as well as an excuse to enjoy their new status in society without guilt.
In other words, they are eager to give back to the church, to perhaps bear some of the load. This has ended up turning some churches into highly lucrative businesses and making some leaders into multi-millionaires. It’s the so-called “Industry of Faith.”
Take “Bishop” Edir Macedo, for example. The founder and leader of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God, which also has temples in the United States, Macedo is by far the richest pastor in Brazil, with a net worth estimated by several Brazilian business magazines* at $950 million (one government arm in Brazil estimates an even higher sum). He is continuously involved in scandals, mostly due to allegations that his organization had siphoned off billions of dollars of donations intended for charity. There have also been official charges of fraud and money laundering. Yet Macedo has managed to keep his flock of followers throughout the years.
One of the fathers of the modern Prosperity Theology, Macedo even spent eleven days in jail in 1992 due to charges of charlatanism. Macedo has denied all the accusations against him in Brazil, but he is still under prosecution by US authorities as well as Venezuelan authorities.
As an evangelical writer, he stands out with more than 10 million books sold, some of which are extremely critical of the Catholic Church and a number of Brazilian Afro-religions. His biggest move was in the late 1980s, when he acquired control of Rede Record, currently Brazil’s second largest broadcaster. His other assets include a newspaper, Folha Universal, which has a circulation of over 2.5 million in Brazil, a news channel, Record News, music label companies, state-of-the-art properties and a $45 million Bombardier Global Express XRS private jet. Macedo’s spokesperson said he would not comment on personal affairs.
IN PHOTOS: The World’s Richest Women
Following in Macedo’s footsteps is Valdemiro Santiago. A former preacher within the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God, he was reportedly expelled from the institution after some misunderstandings with its boss, of whom he was a protégé. That was enough for him to found his own church–the World Church of the Power of God, which has more than 900,000 followers and over 4,000 temples, many of which are adorned with images of him on billboards. He made headlines last year after reportedly dropping $45 million on a private jet identical to that of Macedo’s. Several Brazilian business magazines estimate his net worth at $220 million. A call and email to Santiago’s church were not returned.
Then there’s Silas Malafaia, the leader of the Brazilian arm of the Assembly of God, Brazil’s biggest Pentecostal church. The most outspoken of his colleagues, Malafaia is constantly involved in controversies related to the gay community in Brazil, of which he proudly declares himself to be the biggest nemesis. The supporter of a law that could classify homosexualism as a disease in Brazil, Malafaia is also a prominent figure on Twitter, where he is followed by more than 440,000 users. In 2011, Malafaia–who’s worth an estimated $150 million according to several Brazilian business publications–launched a campaign called “The One Million Souls Club,” that aims to raise $500 million (R$ 1 billion) for his church in order to create a global television network that would be broadcast in 137 countries. Those interested in contributing to the campaign can donate sums starting at $500 (R$ 1,000), that can be paid in installments. In exchange, donors will receive a book.
Possibly the most active in multimedia among Brazilian preachers is the singer, composer and televangelist Romildo Ribeiro Soares, simply known as R.R. Soares. As the founder of the International Church of the Grace of God, Soares is one of the most regular faces on Brazilian TV. Another former member of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God–he is the brother-in-law of Macedo–the self-entitled “missionary” Soares is said to be the humblest among his peers. His private jet–a King Air 350 — is worth a “modest” $5 million. Soares’ estimated net worth (also from several Brazilian business publications): $125 million. Soares’ spokesperson did not return calls or emails.
The founders of the Reborn in Christ Church, “Apostle” Estevam Hernandes Filho and his wife, “Bishop” Sonia, oversee more than 1,000 churches in Brazil and abroad, including several in Florida. With a combined net worth estimated at $65 million by several Brazilian business magazines, the couple made international headlines in 2007 when they were arrested in Miami, accused of carrying more than $56,000 in undeclared cash. Some of the money had been stuffed between the pages of their Bibles, according to U.S. customs agents who detained the couple at the Miamiairport. They were returned to Brazil a year later. They are also still under prosecution in Brazil for a number of other crimes, including for the collapse of ceiling at one of their temples, which caused 9 deaths.
The arrest and allegations in Brazil of systematic embezzlement have resonated loudly. In December 2010, Brazilian soccer star Kaka, who was friends with the Hernandes couple and a member of their church, left the institution, reportedly because of their leadership mishandling of money. Kaka had reportedly donated more than $1 million (R$ 2 million) to the church during the time he was one of its most well known members. A spokesperson for the Hernandes couple did not respond to emails and phone calls.
Becoming an evangelical preacher in Brazil is the dream of many young people across the country. Contrary to more traditional protestant churches that require their pastors to have at least a masters degree, the neo-Pentecostal churches such as the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God offer intensive courses to “create” pastors for as much a little as $350 ( R$ 700) for a few days of classes. It’s not only about money (Malafaia pays up to $11,000 per month to the most talented members of his pastor’s crew, according to Veja SP magazine), but also about power.
Many Brazilian pastors have been given diplomatic passports in the past few years. Some, especially those who lead big churches, are courted by politicians at election time, not to mention that as in many countries around the globe, churches are exempt of taxes in Brazil, which can sometimes create a very convenient loophole.
As the Bible says, faith moves mountains. And money, too.
*Estimates for net worths were based on numbers reported by Brazil’s Public Ministry of the Union and Federal Police, as well as estimates of the value of each pastor’s private holdings, as reported by Brazilian media, including magazines Veja, Exame, IstoÉ, IstoÉ Dinheiro and newspapers Folha de S. Paulo, O Globo and O Estado de S. Paulo.
terça-feira, 15 de março de 2011
Existem ricos e existem aqueles que nao merecem ser ricos...
A partir da nova lista da Forbes, descobrimos que existem, no que outrora se chamava Terceiro Mundo, pessoas muito ricas, como este magnata mexicano, que é considerado, ao meu ver erradamente, o homem mais rico do mundo.
Minha lista pessoal não incluiria barões ladrões, como se dizia antigamente.
É evidente que esse indivíduo, diferentemente de Bill Gates e Warren Buffett que fizeram suas fortunas no mercado, só é rico porque pode contar com a preciosa ajuda do Estado mexicano, que lhe garantiu uma posição monopólica no mercado de comunicações, permitindo essa acumulação às custas dos mexicanos, que transferiram renda em condições de reserva de mercado. Ora, isso não é ser rico; isso é ser aliado do Príncipe, quase um ato de assalto à mão armada contra os consumidores indefesos.
O mesmo talvez ocorra com aquele que é chamado de homem mais rico do Brasil: recebendo 800 milhões do BNDES ajuda qualquer um.
Minha lista só conteria os que fizeram fortunda com seu próprio esforço, no mercado. O resto eu excluíria, principalmente os barões ladrões...
Paulo Roberto de Almeida
Brics viraram ‘fábrica de bilionários’, diz ‘FT’
BBC Brasil – 10/03/2011
Os chamados países Bric – Brasil, Rússia, Índia e China – se tornaram uma “fábrica de bilionários”, avalia uma reportagem do jornal britânico Financial Times nesta quinta-feira.
O texto noticia a última lista de multimilionários da revista Forbes, na qual aparecem 30 brasileiros, entre eles o empresário Eike Batista, número oito no ranking geral.
Os Bric têm hoje 301 bilionários, um a mais que a Europa, e 108 a mais que no ano passado. Assim, os quatro emergentes se aproximam dos EUA, que continua liderando a lista de bilionários, com 413.
“O número de bilionários nas principais economias emergentes superou o número na Europa pela primeira vez e está se aproximando rapidamente dos Estados Unidos”, observou o diário financeiro.
O diretor da revista Forbes, Steve Forbes, afirmou que, “os bilionários globais neste ano refletem o que está acontecendo na economia global”.
O número total de bilionários no mundo superou 1,2 mil e bateu recorde este ano.
América Latina
O homem mais rico do planeta é o magnata das telecomunicações Carlos Slim, que está à frente dos americanos Bill Gates e Warren Buffett.
Mas o grande destaque da América Latina é o Brasil, que tem o maior número de multimilionários da América Latina, destaca o espanhol El Mundo.
Para o jornal, o país “se converteu ao longo dos dois mandatos do ex-presidente Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva em um forte palco de investimentos, tanto domésticos quanto externos”.
“Dois dos homens mais ricos do mundo, os americanos Sam Zell e Warren Buffett, são sócios fortes de empresas brasileiras”, observa o jornal.
A reportagem destaca a opinião da Forbes, para quem a facilitação das regras de investimento e a melhoria das normas de transparências deram confiança aos investidores interessados no Brasil.
Minha lista pessoal não incluiria barões ladrões, como se dizia antigamente.
É evidente que esse indivíduo, diferentemente de Bill Gates e Warren Buffett que fizeram suas fortunas no mercado, só é rico porque pode contar com a preciosa ajuda do Estado mexicano, que lhe garantiu uma posição monopólica no mercado de comunicações, permitindo essa acumulação às custas dos mexicanos, que transferiram renda em condições de reserva de mercado. Ora, isso não é ser rico; isso é ser aliado do Príncipe, quase um ato de assalto à mão armada contra os consumidores indefesos.
O mesmo talvez ocorra com aquele que é chamado de homem mais rico do Brasil: recebendo 800 milhões do BNDES ajuda qualquer um.
Minha lista só conteria os que fizeram fortunda com seu próprio esforço, no mercado. O resto eu excluíria, principalmente os barões ladrões...
Paulo Roberto de Almeida
Brics viraram ‘fábrica de bilionários’, diz ‘FT’
BBC Brasil – 10/03/2011
Os chamados países Bric – Brasil, Rússia, Índia e China – se tornaram uma “fábrica de bilionários”, avalia uma reportagem do jornal britânico Financial Times nesta quinta-feira.
O texto noticia a última lista de multimilionários da revista Forbes, na qual aparecem 30 brasileiros, entre eles o empresário Eike Batista, número oito no ranking geral.
Os Bric têm hoje 301 bilionários, um a mais que a Europa, e 108 a mais que no ano passado. Assim, os quatro emergentes se aproximam dos EUA, que continua liderando a lista de bilionários, com 413.
“O número de bilionários nas principais economias emergentes superou o número na Europa pela primeira vez e está se aproximando rapidamente dos Estados Unidos”, observou o diário financeiro.
O diretor da revista Forbes, Steve Forbes, afirmou que, “os bilionários globais neste ano refletem o que está acontecendo na economia global”.
O número total de bilionários no mundo superou 1,2 mil e bateu recorde este ano.
América Latina
O homem mais rico do planeta é o magnata das telecomunicações Carlos Slim, que está à frente dos americanos Bill Gates e Warren Buffett.
Mas o grande destaque da América Latina é o Brasil, que tem o maior número de multimilionários da América Latina, destaca o espanhol El Mundo.
Para o jornal, o país “se converteu ao longo dos dois mandatos do ex-presidente Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva em um forte palco de investimentos, tanto domésticos quanto externos”.
“Dois dos homens mais ricos do mundo, os americanos Sam Zell e Warren Buffett, são sócios fortes de empresas brasileiras”, observa o jornal.
A reportagem destaca a opinião da Forbes, para quem a facilitação das regras de investimento e a melhoria das normas de transparências deram confiança aos investidores interessados no Brasil.
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