On Friday, Robson Gracie Sr. died in Brazil at the age of 88. He was the oldest living member of the Gracie family, known for their expertise in jiu-jitsu. As the second son of Carlos Gracie, who founded Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, Robson was one of the few ninth degree black belts in BJJ still alive.
Helio Gracie received training from his father and uncle and participated in Brazilian vale tudo matches during the 1950s. He later worked as a bodyguard for Leonel Brizola, a leftist politician who was related to the Brazilian President at the time, João Goulart. However, after Goulart was overthrown in a military coup in 1964, Gracie was associated with a Marxist guerrilla organization and was apprehended by the authorities. He was allegedly subjected to torture for two months before being set free.Articles on the internet that are related to the topic.
