Gastao Gracie Jr.

Gastão Gracie (born in 1906) was one of the founding members of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in the 1920s. He was the middle brother of the 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 stash 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 bad experience with a priest, he became highly critical of the Catholic Church. He was deeply mystical, believing he could see people’s auras and heal others through hypnosis.

The “Amicable” Brother: Unlike his brothers, Gastão was the least competitive. However, his warm and friendly demeanor made him a favorite among the students at the academy.

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

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

Later Years: After spending some time in Rio (where he also worked as the head of security for the 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 Officer’s School.