Favela life: The diary of Carolina Maria de Jesus

Witness History

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Carolina Maria de Jesus was a poor, single mother-of-three who lived in a derelict shack and spent her days scavenging for food.

Her diary, written between 1955 and 1960, brought to life the harsh realities faced by thousands of poor Brazilians who arrived in cities like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro looking for better opportunities.

In 1960, her diary was published and became a bestseller, turning Carolina into a celebrity.

Her daughter, Vera Eunice de Jesus Lima, spoke to Thomas Pappon in 2020 about how the book changed her family's life.

Eye-witness accounts brought to life by archive. Witness History is for those fascinated by the past. We take you to the events that have shaped our world through the eyes of the people who were there. For nine minutes every day, we take you back in time and all over the world, to examine wars, coups, scientific discoveries, cultural moments and much more.

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(Photo: Carolina Maria de Jesus. Credit: National Archives of Brazil)

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