Ze Maria was only 27 years old when he was the national hero, proclaimed by the people, on that cold morning of January 1, 2001, after winning his first “Big Brother” released in Portugal.
The Portuguese were beaming at the chicken boy, trolling her from Barrancos, the man who, with a candid and innocent smile, his humble eyes, and bullied by some fellows inside Portugal’s most guarded house, emerged victorious from the studios. Pinheiro, in Mafra.
He was the weakest link, a symbol of the oppressed, and the Portuguese phoned extensively, giving him victory.
After 22 years, Zee Maria, now 49, is living as a refugee in Barrancos. “It’s OK, thank you. It’s OK, thank you very much, but understand …” said Ze Maria to Gioia TV, which he found on the streets of his homeland.
There friends and family regret what happened to Zee Maria: They say it was his “friends from Lisbon” who “smashed him and smashed his head”.
Ze Maria lives under constant medical observation due to his mental health, which has become even more fragile after his participation in “Big Brother”.
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Salman Rushdie is a journalist and feature writer specialising in culture, politics, literature, and international affairs. He focuses on delivering clear, informative reporting that helps readers understand the people, events, and trends influencing today’s world.
