Overview
Alberto Goldman (12 October 1937 – 1 September 2019) was a Brazilian engineer and public figure best known for his roles in São Paulo state government and in the national leadership of the Brazilian Social Democracy Party. He combined technical training with decades of political activity and served as vice governor and later as governor of the state of São Paulo.
Early life and professional background
Born in the city of São Paulo, Goldman trained and worked in engineering before entering public service. His technical background informed his approach to infrastructure and administrative issues, and he maintained ties to professional and civic organizations while pursuing an elected career.
Political career
Goldman was a leading member of the Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB). He was elected Vice Governor of São Paulo in 2006 on a ticket with Governor José Serra. When Serra resigned in April 2010 to pursue other political ambitions, Goldman assumed the governorship and served through the transition that concluded on 1 January 2011. Later in his career he briefly held the position of national president of the PSDB in late 2017.
Positions and timeline
- Career as a professional engineer and public administrator
- Vice Governor of São Paulo (elected 2006)
- Governor of São Paulo (assumed office 6 April 2010 — resigned 1 January 2011)
- National President of PSDB (November–December 2017)
Legacy and death
Goldman was regarded as a pragmatic politician who emphasized administrative competence. His brief governorship covered the closing months of an elected term and involved managing state affairs during an election cycle. He died on 1 September 2019 in a São Paulo hospital due to complications from surgery related to cancer, at the age of 81. Obituaries and retrospectives noted his long association with São Paulo politics and his contributions to public administration.
For further context on the party and regional politics he was involved with, see general profiles of the PSDB and São Paulo governance. Additional detailed records of his legislative and administrative actions are available in public archives and party publications here and through regional sources here and here.
Goldman's career illustrates the frequent crossover between technical professions and political leadership in modern Brazilian state administration, and his tenure remains part of São Paulo's political history.