Gerardo Renault, Father of ‘Big Brother’ Contestant Ana Paula, Passes Away at 96; Family Chooses Not to Remove Her from ‘BBB 26’

Gerardo Henrique Machado Renault, father of Big Brother Brasil 26 contestant Ana Paula Renault, passed away on April 19, 2026, at the age of 96. He had been hospitalized at Felicio Rocho since April 3, 2026. The cause of his death has not been disclosed. During Big Brother Brasil 26, Ana Paula expressed concerns to fellow contestants Milena and Juliano on April 17, 2026, regarding her father’s health. She admitted to worrying about his well-being, especially since she had not heard from him in three months, fearing that he might be forgetting her. She also recalled considering leaving the show in December 2025, but her father encouraged her to stay. Milena reassured Ana Paula, saying that his sharp mind would help him remember her, and that Ana Paula’s partner was also helping him remember. Prior to entering BBB 26, Ana Paula had observed a decline in her father’s health.

Despite these concerns, the family decided to keep Ana Paula in the BBB 26 program, honoring Gerardo’s wishes. According to a statement posted on Ana Paula’s Instagram profile, Gerardo had requested that she return to the show and desired to see her continue in the competition. The family chose not to withdraw her “out of love, strength, and respect for his wishes.” Gerardo Renault recorded a video to reassure Ana Paula’s fans about his health, which Extra later shared. In the video, he said, “Hi, darling, how are you? I miss you so much. I’m rooting for you. A caring kiss from your dad who loves you very much.” In addition to being Ana Paula’s father, Gerardo Renault had a political career. He served as a city council member in Belo Horizonte starting in 1951 and as a state deputy between 1967 and 1979. During Brazil’s military dictatorship, he was affiliated with the ARENA and PDS parties. He also served as president of the Legislative Assembly’s Previdence Institute starting in 1991. Gerardo Renault was the widower of Maria da Conceicao Machado Renault, who passed away in 1988 when Ana Paula was 17 years old.

Respecting Gerardo’s Wishes: Ana Paula Stays in BBB 26

The family’s decision to keep Ana Paula on the show demonstrates their deep respect for Gerardo’s wishes.

In Case You Missed It

As we wrap up today’s discussions, we’ve got a trio of compelling reads you won’t want to miss! Ahmed Hassan has just published “BBB: Tadeu Schmidt Consoles Ana Paula Renault, Breaks Protocol, Shares Grief” on April 20th, diving into a poignant moment during Tadeu’s BBB appearance where he openly mourns his brother and creates an emotional bond with Ana Paula. Meanwhile, Jonathan Dubinski sheds light on the life and legacy of Gerardo Renault in “Who was Ana Paula Renault’s Father?” Also published on April 20th, this insightful article delves into Minas Gerais’ political landscape through the lens of family dynamics. And lastly, our fellow DBZ enthusiast Bruno Pferd has dropped a comprehensive deep dive into the latest addition to the Xenoverse series with “Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3: First Trailer Just Dropped, Nearly 4 Minutes Long!” published on the same date. So, buckle up and explore these fascinating worlds here: BBB: Tadeu Schmidt Consoles Ana Paula Renault, Breaks Protocol, Shares Grief for Ahmed’s article, Who was Ana Paula Renault’s Father? for Jonathan’s piece, and Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3: First Trailer Just Dropped, Nearly 4 Minutes Long! for Bruno’s Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3 analysis!