Edir Macedo Bezerra is a Brazilian evangelical bishop, writer, and billionaire businessman, the self-made founder of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG) and the owner of the massive media group Grupo Record, which includes the third-largest television network in Brazil, RecordTV. Born in Rio de Flores, Brazil, in 1945, his early career was in civil service, working for the state-run lottery and the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE).

Macedo was raised Catholic but converted to Pentecostalism in 1965. Recognizing the power of media and a compelling message, he left his civil servant job to found his own ministry. He claims to have degrees in theology and holds a doctorate in Christian Philosophy. This background in finance, media, and religion provided the foundation for his massive, integrated religious and media empire.

Edir Macedo founded the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG) in 1977 in Rio de Janeiro. His strategic vision centered on prosperity theology and aggressive evangelism, rapidly growing his religious movement into a global phenomenon. Recognizing that media control was essential for expansion, he executed his pivotal business move in 1989 by acquiring the free-to-air commercial television network, Record (now RecordTV), and founding the holding company Grupo Record.

Under his leadership, RecordTV became the third-largest network in Brazil, providing a massive, non-stop broadcast platform for the church's services and doctrine. His wealth is secured by the massive revenue generated by the church (often in the form of tithes and offerings) and the appreciating value of his media holdings. This vertical integration of religion and media is the unique structural cornerstone of his multi-billion dollar fortune, which has been a source of significant controversy and public scrutiny.

Edir Macedo's social impact is massive and structural, tied to the global reach of the UCKG and its media platforms, which influence the spiritual and social lives of millions globally. The church's structural contribution is in providing social services and community programs, often in economically depressed areas.

However, his career is also marked by persistent controversy and allegations regarding the financial management of the church's massive income. His structural contribution is the successful creation of a powerful, modern, media-driven religious and commercial empire in Latin America and globally.

Edir Macedo maintains the formal, authoritative style of an evangelical bishop and media executive. His attire is consistently formal and high-quality, often wearing tailored suits or religious robes. His aesthetic is one of confident, spiritual, and corporate authority.

Residing in Rio de Janeiro, his luxury is the immense security and autonomy derived from his multi-billion dollar fortune. His life is dedicated to the stewardship of his religious movement, leveraging his media empire to spread the doctrine of prosperity theology globally.