Telma de Souza, the former mayor of Santos and a founding member of Brazil’s Workers’ Party (PT), has died aged 82 after serious health complications, including cardiac arrest and multiple-organ failure. She had been hospitalized at Hospital Mont Serrat in Santos. ¹

Accounts of her legacy differ chiefly in emphasis rather than in their assessment of her importance. The left-leaning account presents Souza’s 1989–92 mayoral administration as a national benchmark, highlighting initiatives linked to mental-health reform, HIV/AIDS policy, public polyclinics, port workers and beach-water quality. It notes that she was the only woman to govern Santos and says she left office with 97% approval. ²

The other account places greater weight on the breadth of her political and professional career. It traces her time as a city councilor, state lawmaker and federal deputy, as well as her 2024 mayoral bid, when she finished third with 13.4% of the vote. It also notes her training as an educator and lawyer, postgraduate work in public health, and teaching in public policy. ¹

Both portrayals agree that Souza remained closely identified with the PT she helped found in 1980 and that her work had a lasting impact on Santos. The institute bearing her name said her record as mayor became a “national reference” across several policy areas. ²

Tributes also crossed party lines. Santos Mayor Rogério Santos, of Republicanos, said that although they belonged to different parties, they dealt with one another “with great respect,” because their shared concern was “the good of Santos.” ¹