Thiago Pereira Biography: Ethnicity, Net Worth, Awards, Children, Height, Parents, Age, Spouse
Thiago Machado Vilela Pereira, professionally known as Thiago Pereira and popularly nicknamed Mr. Pan, is a Brazilian former professional swimmer, Olympic silver medallist, world champion, former world record holder, entrepreneur, and business executive.
Born on January 26, 1986, in Volta Redonda, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, he represented his country at the 2004 Athens, 2008 Beijing, 2012 London, and 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
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His achievements include 23 Pan American Games medals, seven World Championships medals, and an Olympic silver medal.
Following retirement, he pursued a career in business leadership, sports development, and entrepreneurship.
| Thiago Pereira | |
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| Wiki Facts & About Data | |
| Real Name: | Thiago Machado Vilela Pereira |
| Stage Name: | Thiago Pereira |
| Born: | January 26, 1986 (age 40 years old) |
| Place of Birth: | Volta Redonda, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
| Nationality: | Brazilian |
| Ethnicity: | Brazilian |
| Height: | 6'2" (187 cm) |
| Religion: | Christianity |
| Parents: | Maurício Pereira, Rose Vilela |
| Spouse: | Gabriela Pauletti |
| Relationship: | Married |
| Children: | Luca Pereira |
| Occupation: | Former Professional Swimmer, Olympic Medallist, Entrepreneur, Business Executive |
| Net Worth: | $2 million |
Early life and Education
Thiago Pereira was born on January 26, 1986, in Volta Redonda, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
He is 40 years old and grew up under the care of his parents, Maurício Pereira and Rose Vilela, in a Brazilian family that encouraged sporting activities. His ethnicity and nationality are Brazilian, and his religion is Christianity. Details concerning his siblings are not available.
His mother, Rose Vilela, played an important role in supporting his swimming ambitions and later became involved in municipal sports administration in Volta Redonda.
She gained recognition for enthusiastically cheering for her son during major competitions, particularly by shouting his name from the spectator stands. His father, Maurício Pereira, also supported his sporting development and attended important events celebrating his achievements.
Thiago began swimming at approximately two years old after accidentally falling into a swimming pool and nearly drowning. Concerned about his safety, his mother enrolled him in swimming lessons to help him develop confidence and essential aquatic skills.
The experience gradually introduced him to competitive swimming, transforming an early childhood accident into an important influence on his future sporting career.
Thiago completed his early education in Brazil, balancing school responsibilities alongside swimming competitions and demanding training sessions. As his career developed, he travelled to the United States for advanced swimming preparation.
He spent time training in Florida before joining Trojan Swim Club at the University of Southern California, where he trained under Dave Salo. Although he trained in a university environment, a completed university degree has not been reliably documented.
Career
Thiago Pereira began his international swimming career at the 2003 Pan American Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, winning silver in the 200-metre individual medley and bronze in the 400-metre individual medley.
At the 2004 World Short Course Swimming Championships in Indianapolis, he won gold in the 200-metre individual medley, silver in the 4×100-metre freestyle relay, and two bronze medals.
He subsequently represented Brazil at the 2004 Athens Olympics, finishing fifth in the 200-metre individual medley.
At the 2013 World Aquatics Championships in Barcelona, Pereira won bronze medals in the 200-metre and 400-metre individual medley events. He subsequently earned silver in the 200-metre individual medley at the 2015 World Championships in Kazan.
At the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto, he increased his career collection to 23 medals, including 15 gold medals, becoming the most decorated athlete in Pan American Games history at that time.
Thiago represented Brazil at the 2016 Rio Olympics, finishing seventh in the men’s 200-metre individual medley.
He announced his retirement from competitive swimming in 2017 and subsequently concentrated on entrepreneurship, sports administration, and educational initiatives. He established the Thiago Pereira Institute to promote swimming education and drowning prevention.
In September 2024, he became Commercial Director at Wiz Corporate, a Brazilian company involved in insurance and financial services, and continued in the role during 2025.
Awards and Nominations
- 2004 World Short Course Championships – 200m Individual Medley Gold Medal
- 2007 Pan American Games – 200m Individual Medley Gold Medal
- 2007 Pan American Games – 400m Individual Medley Gold Medal
- 2007 Pan American Games – 200m Backstroke Gold Medal
- 2011 Pan American Games – 100m Backstroke Gold Medal
- 2012 London Olympics – 400m Individual Medley Silver Medal
- 2013 World Aquatics Championships – 200m Individual Medley Bronze Medal
- 2015 World Aquatics Championships – 200m Individual Medley Silver Medal
Personal Life
Thiago Pereira is 40 years old and is married to Gabriela Pauletti, a Brazilian lawyer.
The couple married in 2013 after developing a long-term romantic relationship. They welcomed their son, Luca Pereira, on February 12, 2019, in São Paulo, Brazil.
Thiago expressed considerable excitement about becoming a father and has discussed the responsibilities associated with raising a child. His marriage and fatherhood have become important parts of his life following retirement from professional swimming.
Thiago enjoys travelling, family holidays, recreational activities, spending time with his wife and son, and participating in community events.
In May 2026, he visited Ceará, Brazil, alongside his family, enjoying attractions at Beach Park while participating in an initiative promoting swimming safety. He has also developed interests in entrepreneurship, investment opportunities, and business management.
His experiences as a professional athlete encouraged him to maintain physical activity and appreciate opportunities for personal development.
Thiago established a professional lifestyle involving business leadership, charitable initiatives, public speaking, and sports education.
His work at Wiz Corporate includes developing commercial opportunities in insurance and financial services, while the Thiago Pereira Institute supports programmes teaching children to swim and reducing drowning risks. He has also participated in investments involving sports technology and wellness businesses.
Standing 187 cm (6 feet 2 inches) tall, he maintains an active lifestyle centered on family, entrepreneurship, physical fitness, and community development.
Net Worth
Thiago Pereira has a working net worth estimate of $2 million USD.
His income sources and professional opportunities include competitive swimming, Olympic and World Championships rewards, commercial sponsorships, sporting endorsements, entrepreneurship, business management, and motivational speaking.
His professional activities include Wiz Corporate, the Thiago Pereira Institute, Pool Sport Tech & Wellness investments, corporate partnerships, and swimming education programmes.
He has also participated in charitable sporting initiatives promoting water safety and encouraging children to learn swimming.
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