José Alencar was a Brazilian politician and businessman, born on October 17, 1931, in Muriae, Minas Gerais. He served as the Vice President of Brazil from 2003 to 2010 under President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Alencar was known for his contributions to the textile industry and his role in promoting economic development in Brazil. In addition to his political career, Alencar was a prominent figure in the Brazilian Democratic Movement Party (PMDB). He was also a cancer survivor, having battled the disease for many years, which he openly discussed to raise awareness about health issues. Alencar passed away on March 29, 2011.