Graduated in Law and Social Sciences from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro in the year of 1972.

He headed the PMDB (Party of the Brazilian Democratic Movement) in the Chamber of Deputies in the period 1985/86.

Pimenta da Veiga was one of the founder members of PSDB (Brazilian Social Democratic Party).

In 1988, he was elected Mayor of Belo Horizonte and indicated as candidate for Governor of the state of Minas Gerais, in 1990.

In 1994, Pimenta da Veiga was elected National President of PSDB and in the last polls he won a seat in the Chamber representing the state of Minas Gerais for the mandate of 1999/2003.