Pedro I, << PAY droh or PAY throo >> (1798-1834), was the first emperor of independent Brazil. He ruled from 1822 to 1831.
Pedro was born on Oct. 12, 1798, in Lisbon, Portugal. He was the son of Prince John (later King John VI) of Portugal. In 1807, the Portuguese royal family fled to Brazil, a colony of Portugal, to escape capture by invading French troops. In 1821, John returned to Lisbon. He left Pedro to rule Brazil as prince regent.
Pedro was strongly influenced by a group of Brazilian-born counselors who favored independence for Brazil. On Sept. 7, 1822, he declared Brazil’s independence. He was crowned emperor a few months later.
In 1826, John VI died, and Pedro became King Pedro IV of Portugal. Later that year, Pedro gave up the Portuguese throne in favor of his daughter, who eventually ruled Portugal as Maria II. Strong-willed and undemocratic, Pedro became increasingly unpopular in Brazil. In 1831, he gave up the throne in favor of his son Pedro II and returned to Portugal. Pedro I died on Sept. 24, 1834.
