Hélio Gracie profile Photo

Hélio Gracie

Martial Artist

Birthday October 1, 1913

Birth Sign Libra

Birthplace Belém, Brazil

Age 95 Years

Date of death 29 January, 2009

Died Place Petrópolis, Brazil

#0 Most Popular

Who Is Hélio Gracie? Age, Biography and Wiki

Born on October 1, 1913, Hélio Gracie was a revolutionary figure in the martial arts world, known for co-inventing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). His life was marked by a passion for martial arts that spanned throughout the 20th century, showcasing his dedication to cultivating the art and system that has influenced countless practitioners worldwide. Hélio Gracie passed away on January 29, 2009, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire.

Occupation Martial Artist
Date of Birth October 1, 1913
Age 95 Years
Birth Place Belém, Brazil
Horoscope Libra
Country Brazil
Date of death 29 January, 2009
Died Place Petrópolis, Brazil

Popularity

Hélio Gracie's Popularity over time

Height, Weight & Measurements

While Hélio Gracie was known for his exceptional skills rather than his height or weight, reports suggest he stood approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall (173 cm) and weighed around 150 pounds (68 kg) during his competitive years. His physicality was complemented by a lean, athletic build that was ideal for grappling and martial arts training.

His second match would be the same year in a jiu-jitsu exhibition against Takashi Namiki in September. As Namiki had a 7 kg (15 lb) weight advantage and was a native of Japan just like the art of jiu-jitsu, he was expected to defeat Gracie. Namiki dominated the match, but Gracie wasn't defeated, leading it to a draw after several rounds.

Family, Dating & Relationship Status

Hélio Gracie was married to his beloved wife, Zuleika Gracie, with whom he shared a strong partnership throughout his life. Together, they had several children, many of whom followed in their father’s footsteps, contributing to the continuing legacy of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The Gracie family remains tightly knit, continuing to promote the art form that Hélio helped to create.

Gracie had been married to Margarida for 50 years. Because Margarida was unable to bear children, during their marriage, Gracie became the father of three sons (Rickson, Rorion, and Relson) with a nanny Isabel 'Belinha' Soares and four sons (Royler, Rolker, Royce, Robin), two daughters (Rerika and Ricci) with Vera.

After Margarida's death, he married Vera who was 32 years his junior. Gracie was grandfather to many BJJ black belts, including Ryron, Rener, Ralek, Kron, and Rhalan.

Net Worth and Salary

At the time of his death, Hélio Gracie's net worth was estimated to be around $2 million. This wealth was primarily accumulated through his martial arts careers, numerous academy franchises, seminars, and instructional videos. His influence in martial arts has led to continued revenue streams from the Gracie name and the ongoing popularity of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Career, Business and Investments

Hélio Gracie's career was highlighted by his role in popularizing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu through competitions and establishing the Gracie Academy. He developed a unique self-defense system that emphasized leverage and technique over brute strength, making it accessible and effective for practitioners of all sizes. Hélio also engaged in various business ventures, including the Gracie family’s series of training schools and instructional materials that have educated countless martial artists.

Gracie began his professional fighting career at 18 years old against boxer Antonio Portugal. The fight took place in the undercard of a "jiu-jitsu vs. boxing" event on January 16, 1932, which saw judoka Geo Omori defeating boxer Tavares Crespo. Gracie won his fight by submission in a short time, probably an armlock in 40 seconds. Portugal is sometimes incorrectly billed as a boxing champion.

Social Network

While Hélio Gracie himself was not active on social media during his lifetime, his legacy lives on through the online presence of the Gracie family and BJJ community. Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube platforms regularly feature tributes to Hélio's teachings, training philosophies, and contributions to martial arts. Hashtags like #HelioGracie and #BrazilianJiuJitsu keep his memory vibrant among fans and practitioners.

Gracie realized, however, that even though he knew the techniques theoretically, the moves were much harder for him to execute. Consequently, he began adapting Mitsuyo Maeda's brand of judo, already heavily based around newaza ground fighting techniques. From these experiments, Gracie jiu-jitsu was created.

Like its parent style of judo, these techniques allowed smaller and weaker practitioners the capability to defend themselves and even defeat much larger opponents. "Carlos and Helio Gracie ... brought a fresh eye to jujitsu just as their fellow countryman brought a special new approach to football."

Education

Hélio Gracie's education in martial arts began when he was a teenager, under the guidance of his brothers, who were the initial instructors of Jiu-Jitsu in Brazil. Although he did not pursue formal education in the academic sense, his dedication to learning and mastering Jiu-Jitsu formed the foundation of his teachings that would shape the future of martial arts.

In conclusion, Hélio Gracie's impact on martial arts and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is monumental, and his teachings continue to resonate in 2025. With his family and followers preserving his legacy, the essence of Hélio Gracie lives on in the hearts of many martial arts enthusiasts around the globe.

When he was 16 years old, he had the opportunity to teach a judo class, which helped him develop his family style, "Gracie jiu-jitsu". When the director of the Bank of Brazil, Mario Brandt, arrived for a private class at the original Gracie Academy in Rio de Janeiro as scheduled Carlos Gracie, the instructor, was running late.

Hélio offered to teach the class in Carlos's stead. When Carlos arrived with apologies, Brandt assured him it was no problem, and even requested that he be allowed to continue learning with Hélio.

Disclaimer: The information provided is gathered from reputable sources. However, CelebsWiki disclaims any responsibility for inaccuracies or omissions. Users are encouraged to verify details independently. For any updates, please use the link of Contact Us provided above.

You May Also Like
Reviews & Comments

Bob Dylan, Harvey Milk, Emma Raducanu, Charles Oliveira, Florian Wirtz, Antonia Gentry, Tom Hardy, Barbara Walters, Neil Young, Nico Parker, Kayla Harrison, Cynthia Erivo, Gerard Butler, Aamir Khan, Neymar, Jonathan Groff, Gukesh Dommaraju, George H. W. Bush, Cate Blanchett, Anna Camp