Heir to one of Brazil's largest fortunes, Walter Salles supports taxing the richest

Award-winning filmmaker and heir to one of Brazil's 50 largest fortunes, Walter Salles publicly advocated for the taxation of large fortunes. The statement was made at the "Faz Diferença" awards ceremony, held at the Copacabana Palace in Rio de Janeiro.

In his speech after being named one of the Persons of the Year, Salles emphasized the need for social justice to curb the discrepancies in the current tax system, which favors the wealthy. "Bernard Appy was here and reminded us that we have the chance to build a more just and egalitarian country, correcting the distortions of a system that, as we know, demands more from those who have less. So I want to express my full support for progressive taxation, the taxation of large fortunes, and democracy with tax justice," he said, alongside actress Fernanda Torres, also honored.

Director of award-winning films such as Central Station and the recent Still Here , Salles is the son of banker Walther Moreira Salles – and owner of a fortune estimated at 25 billion reais, according to Forbes.

The statement comes as Lula faces Congress over a reform that would reduce the burden on low-income populations. The bill submitted by the government to Congress aims to benefit 15 million taxpayers, who earn less than R$5,000 per month, with income tax exemption. To cover the shortfall, estimated at R$25 billion, it proposes charging a minimum tax of 10% on the super-rich, with incomes exceeding R$1 million per year.