Lia Maria Aguiar is a Brazilian billionaire and philanthropist born in 1938. Her life story is one of the most unique in the business world: she and her twin sister, Lina Maria, were abandoned in front of a Bradesco bank branch in São Paulo as infants.

They were subsequently adopted by Amador Aguiar, the legendary founder of Banco Bradesco, who raised them as his own. Following his death, Lia fought a high-profile, decades-long legal battle over her father's will with his second wife, eventually securing her rightful place as a major shareholder in the bank.

• Core Asset: Holds 1.8% of the shares of Banco Bradesco.
• Philanthropy: Founded the Lia Maria Aguiar Foundation in 2008.
• Residency: Lives in the resort city of Campos do Jordão, Brazil.

Unlike traditional business titans, Lia Maria Aguiar’s professional life has been dedicated to stewardship and social impact rather than corporate management. Her structural position is tied to her stake in Banco Bradesco, one of Latin America's largest banking institutions.

She has publicly stated her decision to donate all of her assets to her foundation upon her death, a commitment that would make her one of the largest individual donors in Brazilian history. Her foundation is a primary engine for cultural and educational development in Campos do Jordão, supporting thousands of young people through music, dance, and theatre programs.

• Role: Shareholder in Banco Bradesco and Bradespar.
• Personal Status: Divorced and has no children, directing her legacy entirely to charity.