He is known to have a strong nationalist profile, being a reference in the debate about the Brazilian industrial development and has often been asked to take over economy ministries.

[4][5] Cunha was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on March 1, 1940, the son of a military father and schoolteacher mother.

He graduated with degrees in mechanical and industrial engineering from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-RJ).

Cunha led Ultra's IPO in 1999 and began a series of acquisitions that consolidated Ultragaz's leadership in the Brazilian LP gas market.

The company's shares are traded under the name Ultrapar on the stock exchange market of São Paulo (BM&F Bovespa) and New York (NYSE).