Who is Regina Lemos, a socialite who says she was imprisoned for 10 years

Socialite is 88 years old and has billionaire assets (Photo: Vera Donato Archive)

Regina Lemos lives in one of the most iconic and traditional addresses in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro. That’s where she says she was trapped for the last 10 years. She accuses the former driver, José Marcos Chaves Ribeiro, of keeping her in the apartment and preventing her from having contact with other people.

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The millionaire gained prominence for her presence at luxury parties and her role as a businesswoman and cultural producer. She has been involved with Rio’s elite since her birth. From an influential family, she was also married to farmer and businessman Nestor Gonçalves, according to information from g1.

Gonçalves was once the owner of the graphics park that produced Copag decks, very popular in Brazil. He died 30 years ago and left his entire fortune to Regina. They had no children. Among the assets he left behind are the apartment where she lived with her former driver, and another luxury property in Copacabana.

The exact value of her assets is currently unknown. At the time he died, Nestor had a fortune valued at 500 million dollars — around R$2.5 billion at current prices. In addition to Copacabana, there are properties in São Conrado, including a four-story mansion. There are also jewelry, works of art, tapestries and other luxurious items in the amount.

Regina’s disappearance from Rio’s parties worried neighbors. In 2022, they filed a complaint with the Public Ministry of Rio. Residents stated that her phones were used and always answered by Regina’s former driver.

Love relationship

According to José Marcos, the two had a loving relationship and registered a stable union in 2021, when he was 50 years old and she was 85. Regina, however, denies that the two lived together.

— He was just a chauffeur and an unqualified chauffeur — she says.

Regina’s lawyers say they will challenge the deed of stable union between the two. The news of an alleged romance between the two shocked family and close friends. Carlos Queiroz, Regina’s nephew, says he was suspicious.

— Because of her age. She had made a pact. After my uncle, her husband, died, she would never marry again. She was in love with him. It was all for her, right? I thought it was strange — said the nephew.

See photos

Chopin Building, in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro (Photo: Reproduction)

Regina is currently 88 years old (Photo: Disclosure)

Regina with Narcisa Tamborindeguy (Photo: Social Networks, Reproduction)

Chopin Building is next door to Copacabana Palace (Photo: Google Maps, Reproduction)

Regina would have been the victim of a blow from the driver (Photo: Vera Donato Archive)

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Escape

Regina stayed with José Marcos in the apartment for 14 years. In January of this year she managed to leave alone and went to the house of her only living brother who also lives in Copacabana. According to the socialite, it was an escape.

— I decided to run away. I decided to put an end to it. The day I went to look for my brother’s house, they were scared. I had lost more than 30 kilos. It was pure bone — he says.

The family says they were horrified by her health and filed a request for protection for the socialite. The court granted the protective measure the next day and José Marcos has to stay at least 250 meters away from her.

— How many women her age go through similar situations? So it means she is a double victim. She is a victim because she is a woman and a victim because she is elderly. It is very difficult for the victim’s words at this age to be truly recognized. And she speaks with great grandeur about what she went through — says Regina’s lawyer.

On January 6, police went to the apartment. But, according to the agents’ reports, the doormen said that José Marcos left when he saw the car arriving. Days later, José Marcos declared to the court that Regina only left home because she had an episode resulting from her fragile state and mental confusion.

Even with the protective measure, he obtained the right to be her curator in court and gained powers to manage the socialite’s entire assets — just as was stipulated in the stable union.

What José Marcos’ defense says

In addition to looking for José Marcos, the report also tried to speak to the former driver’s defense about the accusations made by Regina’s family by phone and messages. However, the lawyer stated that he would not give interviews.

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“I was in captivity”, says socialite who accuses former driver of keeping her imprisoned for 10 years

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