Figueiredo’s term was marked by a severe global economic crisis, rising international interest rates, the second oil shock of 1979, and skyrocketing inflation, which surged from 45% to 230% over six years.

Brazil’s foreign debt exceeded $100 billion for the first time, forcing the government to seek assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 1982.

According to CIA documents, João Figueiredo supported the continuation of summary executions of political dissidents, in violation of legal and constitutional norms, as well as human rights principles.

The family could trace its origins in Brazil to the 1650s, having arrived from Barcelos in Northern Portugal and owning several slaves and sugar plantations.

While teaching at the Army General Staff Command College (1961–1964), Figueiredo was promoted to colonel and appointed the department head in the National Information Service.

[citation needed] The governorship of three major states, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais, was won by the opposition.

As inflation and unemployment soared, the foreign debt reached massive proportions making Brazil the world's biggest debtor owing about US$90 billion to international lenders.

The austerity program imposed by the government brought no signs of recovery for the Brazilian economy until the end of Figueiredo's term.

The opposition vigorously struggled to pass a constitutional amendment that would allow direct popular Presidential elections in November 1984, but the proposal failed to win passage in the Congress.