R. R. Soares

Romildo Ribeiro Soares, known worldwide as R. R. Soares, is a Brazilian televangelist, missionary, author, singer, businessman, and composer. Born on December 6, 1947, in the small town of Muniz Freire, Brazil, he grew up in a modest family and later became one of the most influential religious figures in the country. His journey into ministry began in the late 1960s after reading a book by American evangelist T. L. Osborn, which sparked his passion for faith healing and mass evangelism. Soares is also related by marriage to another prominent Brazilian preacher, Edir Macedo, and together they shaped the landscape of Pentecostalism in Brazil.

In 1980, Soares founded the International Church of God's Grace, which has grown into one of the largest Pentecostal denominations in Brazil, with thousands of congregations and millions of followers. His weekly television program, which airs on major Brazilian networks, reaches an estimated 100 hours of broadcast time each week, making him a constant presence in Brazilian homes. Beyond his pastoral work, Soares has authored numerous books on faith and prosperity, recorded gospel music albums, and built a business empire that includes a publishing house and a record label. His influence extends far beyond the pulpit, and his media empire has made him a household name in Brazil, though not without controversy. [edit]

R. R. Soares was born on December 6, 1947, in Muniz Freire, a small town in the countryside of Espírito Santo, Brazil. His father was a construction worker and his mother a housewife, and the family lived modestly. Soares grew up in a religious environment, but his life took a decisive turn in the late 1960s when he read a book by American evangelist T. L. Osborn. The book, which focused on faith healing and mass evangelism, deeply impressed him and set him on the path to ministry. Around the same time, he became related by marriage to Edir Macedo, who would later found the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God. Soares pursued legal studies and became a lawyer, a credential that would later complement his ministerial work. Before founding his own church, he worked alongside Macedo in the early days of the Universal Church, contributing to the growth of Pentecostalism in Brazil. That partnership eventually gave way to independent paths, and Soares prepared to launch his own ministry. [edit]

In 1980, Soares founded the International Church of God's Grace in Rio de Janeiro. The denomination grew rapidly, establishing congregations across Brazil and abroad. His television program, Show da Fé, became a staple on Brazilian networks, airing an estimated 100 hours weekly at its peak. In 2014, his network, Rede Internacional de Televisão (RIT), acquired a pay TV channel, expanding his media footprint. Soares has also released gospel albums, including Grandes Louvores, Vol. 7 (2006) and A Volta da Vitória (2013), and authored numerous books on faith and prosperity. In 2024, Show da Fé returned to Band's lineup after a hiatus, as the network sought to recover from financial difficulties. In 2025, Soares was hospitalized in Rio de Janeiro, though details were not disclosed. His ministry continues to operate, with his sons increasingly involved in public life. [edit]

In Brazilian media, Soares is often portrayed as a powerful and controversial religious figure. His public image is tied to the prosperity gospel, and his television style is marked by authoritative preaching and faith-healing segments. He is commonly referred to as "Missionário" (Missionary) and "Doctor," titles that reinforce his authority. His social media presence, including Instagram and YouTube, focuses on biblical teaching and spiritual edification. Fans and followers engage with his content as a source of daily inspiration, though critics question his methods and wealth. No official fandom name has been documented, but his audience is loyal and widespread across Brazil. [edit]

R. R. Soares currently holds no global fame ranking in the iFANN database, as comprehensive data collection for this figure has not yet been completed. While he commands a massive institutional presence as a televangelist and founder of the International Grace of God Church, his standing in secular celebrity metrics remains unranked by current iFANN standards. This absence of a numerical placement does not diminish the sheer scale of his influence, which operates through a unique blend of religious authority and media dominance rather than traditional pop culture consumption signals. Unlike modern music stars or actors who rely on organized fanbases with specific names and rituals, Soares's followers are primarily identified as congregants and viewers of his ministry. There is no documented formal fandom name associated with him; instead, his community engages through the structures of the church and its flagship program, The Faith Show. Fans address him respectfully as Missionário or Doctor on official social channels, reflecting a dynamic rooted in spiritual devotion rather than the chaotic adoration seen in secular entertainment. His supporters interact by watching sermons, submitting prayer requests, and following teachings, without the fan-funded campaigns or chart manipulation efforts that define other celebrity circles. The loyalty of his audience is demonstrated through the longevity and reach of his denomination, one of the largest Pentecostal groups in Brazil, rather than viral moments or unofficial projects.[edit]

Soares holds a unique distinction among his peers as a trained lawyer, a credential that sets him apart in the pulpit. His ministry was directly inspired by T. L. Osborn, whose writings served as a pivotal turning point in his life. He is related by marriage to Edir Macedo, another giant of Brazilian Pentecostalism who helped shape the landscape of the faith in the country. In 2016, a court ordered Soares to return a diplomatic passport granted to him, though a new one was issued in 2019 after the decision was reversed. His son David Soares saw his political rise covered by Brazilian media using the phrase "God provides." A widely retold story in his circle concerns his immense financial success; in 2013, Forbes listed him among Brazil's richest pastors, sparking a lawsuit over the report's accuracy that became a defining chapter in his public image. Another legendary aspect of his career involves the establishment of The Faith Show, which became a staple of Brazilian television and a primary vehicle for his ministry's expansion. Recent rankings from 2024 and 2026 continue to list him among the world's richest pastors, reinforcing the narrative of his economic dominance. His Spotify catalog has around 9,700 monthly listeners, a modest figure compared to his massive TV reach. A persistent legend in his orbit involves the tax liabilities of his church, where reports claimed the Union sought over R$ 1 billion, fueling debates about religious authority and state finance.[edit]

Soares is married, though his wife's name is not consistently reported in public sources. The couple has been documented together in connection with diplomatic passport matters in 2016 and 2019. They have at least two sons: André Bezerra Ribeiro Soares, a state deputy, and David Soares, a federal deputy and preacher. The family's involvement in politics and ministry has drawn public attention, with David's career covered in Brazilian media. Soares's household reflects a blend of religious leadership and political engagement, with his sons following in his footsteps in different arenas. [edit]

Soares is associated with T. L. Osborn, whose writings inspired his ministry; Edir Macedo, his relative by marriage; his sons André and David Soares, both politicians; and Brazilian broadcaster José Luiz Datena, with whom his network had contract negotiations. [edit]

Public information about R. R. Soares's romantic history is extremely limited. He has been married to his wife for decades, though her full name is not consistently reported in the sources reviewed. The couple has been publicly documented together in relation to the diplomatic passport matters in 2016 and 2019. They have at least two sons: André Bezerra Ribeiro Soares, a state deputy, and David Soares, a federal deputy and preacher. As of 2026, Soares is married; no information suggests separation, divorce, or widowhood. No dating history beyond his marriage has been documented in credible sources. [edit]

Specific net worth figures for R. R. Soares are not publicly verified, but his wealth is substantial, derived from multiple streams. His International Church of God's Grace has thousands of congregations, generating tithes and offerings. His television network, RIT, broadcasts across Brazil and on pay TV, earning advertising revenue. Show da Fé, his flagship program, airs on major networks, with contracts worth millions. He also runs a publishing house and a record label, and his gospel albums contribute to his income. Per iFANN's editorial analysis, as of 2026, his net worth is estimated at around $500 Million, reflecting decades of media and ministry expansion. The diplomatic passport controversy in 2016 and 2019 highlighted his political connections but did not affect his financial standing.[edit]