In pics: Jair Bolsonaro takes over as Brazil's 38th President

Brazil's president Jair Bolsonaro

Far-right lawmaker Jair Bolsonaro won Brazil's presidential election in October this year, riding a wave of frustration over corruption and crime that brought a dramatic swing to the right in the world's fourth-largest democracy.

(Photograph:AFP)

Military career

Born in 1955 to a Catholic family with Italian roots, Bolsonaro served as a paratrooper in the military before starting his political career in 1988 as a Rio de Janeiro city councilor. He was an army captain during Brazil's brutal military dictatorship (1964-1985).

Two years later, he was elected to the lower house of Congress, where he has been since.

(Photograph:Reuters)

Moment of 'weakness'

Bolsonaro has four sons - three of them politicians - and, in what he called a moment of 'weakness,' a daughter.

He has ignited one explosive controversy after another with his misogynist and racist remarks.

(Photograph:Reuters)

Brazil's 'Big Horse'

With piercing blue eyes, Bolsonaro was known for his physical strength in his army days - earning the nickname 'Big Horse.'

Today, his most fervent supporters have given him another nickname, the 'Myth.'

(Photograph:AFP)

Admirer of Trump

Bolsonaro, 63, calls himself an admirer of Donald Trump, and has similarly tapped a deep national malaise - in Brazil's case, one caused by crime, an ailing economy and the never-ending 'Car Wash' corruption scandal that has stoked fury at the political class.

(Photograph:Reuters)

Longtime politician

He has built an image as a political outsider ready to rough up the establishment - no small feat given that, unlike the US president, he is a longtime politician.

(Photograph:AFP)

Combating endemic corruption

Bolsonaro was sworn in on Tuesday, and immediately called on Congress to combat endemic corruption and promised to 'work tirelessly so that Brazil reaches its destiny.'

(Photograph:AFP)

Promises galore

He said his government would be guided by the promises he made to Brazilian voters fed up with graft, high levels of violent crime and a still-sputtering economy.
 

(Photograph:AFP)