Gastao Gracie

Overview

Gastão Gracie Jr. (born in 1906) was one of the foundational founding members of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in the 1920s. He was the middle brother of the historic first generation of Gracie fighters, which included Carlos, Oswaldo, George, and Helio Gracie.

Key Life Facts & Peculiarities

Early Life: His father (also named Gastão) sold dynamite in Belém do Pará and stored his inventory in Gastão Junior’s room, meaning Gastão literally grew up sleeping on a bed of dynamite.

Education & Beliefs: He was not made literate until the age of 16. Following a negative experience with a priest, he became highly critical of the Catholic Church. He was deeply mystical throughout his life, believing he could see people’s auras and heal others through hypnosis.

The “Amicable” Brother: Unlike his brothers, Gastão was the least competitive in terms of seeking professional challenge matches. However, his warm, patient, and friendly demeanor made him an absolute favorite among the students at the academy.

Martial Arts Career

Learning & Teaching: He learned Jiu-Jitsu directly from his older brother, Carlos Gracie. When Carlos opened the first official Gracie Jiu-Jitsu academy in 1925, Gastão and Oswaldo were the first brothers to step up and help teach classes full-time.

Supporting the Academy: He taught at the Rio de Janeiro academy for its first five years, taking on part-time jobs on the side to help cover the gym’s basic expenses during tough financial times.

Later Years: After spending some time in Rio (where he also worked as the head of security for the prestigious Copacabana Palace hotel), he permanently relocated to São Paulo. There, he worked primarily as a personal martial arts trainer, teaching high-profile clients, including Congressman Ademar Barros and students at the local Officer’s School.