• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Bars, bowling alleys and movie theaters cost too much to run and visit. Americans have run out of places to hang out and we're paying with our health

2

The labor market could become so backward that the economy will have to shed jobs to keep unemployment steady

3

Jensen Huang says ‘a lot’ of six-figure jobs in plumbing and construction will soon be unlocked because someone needs to build new AI centers

1

Bars, bowling alleys and movie theaters cost too much to run and visit. Americans have run out of places to hang out and we're paying with our health

2

The labor market could become so backward that the economy will have to shed jobs to keep unemployment steady

3

Jensen Huang says ‘a lot’ of six-figure jobs in plumbing and construction will soon be unlocked because someone needs to build new AI centers
LeadershipThe World's Most Disappointing Leaders

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff Named Most Disappointing Leader by Fortune Readers

Fortune Editors
By
Fortune Editors
Fortune Editors
Down Arrow Button Icon
Fortune Editors
By
Fortune Editors
Fortune Editors
Down Arrow Button Icon
April 7, 2016, 2:32 PM ET
Rio 2016 Organizing Committee presents the Olympic Torch and Relay Route for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games
BRASILIA, BRAZIL - JULY 03: Brazilian President Dilma Roussef speaks during a ceremony for presents the Olympic Torch and Relay Route of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games on July 3, 2015 in Brasilia, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)Photograph by Buda Mendes/Getty Images
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

After just five years in office, Dilma Rousseff has gone from the promising successor of Brazil’s most popular president to the world’s most disappointing leader, according to Fortune readers who participated in an online poll. With more than 374,000 votes, Rouseff took first place in the poll, which was open for one week. Michigan governor Rick Snyder secured 17,000 votes to take second place over his handling of the Flint water crisis. Former FIFA chiefs Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini took third place. See below for the results of the World’s Most Disappointing Leader poll. You can see all 19 candidates in our story about the World’s 19 Most Disappointing Leaders here.

Rousseff was expected to carry on the work of her predecessor and mentor, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who was the champion for the working class. Instead, she has become known for her alleged mismanagement of government accounts and accusations of her campaign’s knowledge of one of the biggest graft schemes of all time.

Rousseff’s misspending of funds has led to impeachment proceedings against her. Yesterday, a Congressional committee recommended that Brazil’s lower house pursue an impeachment trial, which could be decided by mid-month.

The Petrobras kickback scandal, however, seems to be what has left Brazilians the most disappointed. Despite there being no proof of her involvement, Rousseff’s close relationship with Lula and her position as former head of the state-run oil company’s board of directors during the time the majority of the graft is thought to have taken place have left many skeptical of her denial of participation in the scheme.

Lula also fell from grace last month and was taken in for questioning on his possible involvement in corruption. When Rousseff then named him her chief of staff in what many said was a way for him to run from the law, protesters came to the streets across the country in what was reported to be millions. Expected to help build up the people of her country, Rousseff has let them down by leading Brazil into scandal.

[playbuzz-item url=”//www.playbuzz.com/fortune/whos-the-most-disappointing-leader”]

About the Author
Fortune Editors
By Fortune Editors
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in Leadership

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • TikTok icon
  • YouTube icon

Latest in Leadership

How Barnes & Noble CEO James Daunt tapped his indie bookstore cred to revive the big-box chain
C-Suitechief executive officer (CEO)
How Barnes & Noble CEO James Daunt tapped his indie bookstore cred to revive the big-box chain
By Phil WahbaAugust 3, 2026
3 hours ago
AI is creating a two-speed jobs market in the UK, Indeed says
AIthe future of work
AI is creating a two-speed jobs market in the UK, Indeed says
By Irina Anghel and BloombergAugust 2, 2026
13 hours ago
As AI creates more entrepreneurs and a skills mismatch, Gen Z faces the choice of being a specialist or a ‘general-purpose nerd’
Successthe future of work
As AI creates more entrepreneurs and a skills mismatch, Gen Z faces the choice of being a specialist or a ‘general-purpose nerd’
By Jason MaAugust 2, 2026
13 hours ago
Jefferies analyst calls out ‘simple-minded’ criticism of SpaceX’s governance
InvestingCorporate Governance
Jefferies analyst calls out ‘simple-minded’ criticism of SpaceX’s governance
By Alastair Marsh and BloombergAugust 2, 2026
19 hours ago
s
C-SuiteWorld Cup
Infantino’s $20 billion FIFA plan collapses and now he faces a European mutiny over the future of the World Cup
By Graham Dunbar and The Associated PressAugust 2, 2026
20 hours ago
For the third time in history, women outnumber men in the workforce as the stay-at-home boyfriend becomes an economic trend
EconomyEmployment
For the third time in history, women outnumber men in the workforce as the stay-at-home boyfriend becomes an economic trend
By Catherina GioinoAugust 2, 2026
20 hours ago

Most Popular

Bars, bowling alleys and movie theaters cost too much to run and visit. Americans have run out of places to hang out and we're paying with our health
North America
Bars, bowling alleys and movie theaters cost too much to run and visit. Americans have run out of places to hang out and we're paying with our health
By Catherina GioinoAugust 2, 2026
1 day ago
The labor market could become so backward that the economy will have to shed jobs to keep unemployment steady
Economy
The labor market could become so backward that the economy will have to shed jobs to keep unemployment steady
By Jason MaAugust 1, 2026
1 day ago
Jensen Huang says ‘a lot’ of six-figure jobs in plumbing and construction will soon be unlocked because someone needs to build new AI centers
Success
Jensen Huang says ‘a lot’ of six-figure jobs in plumbing and construction will soon be unlocked because someone needs to build new AI centers
By Preston ForeAugust 1, 2026
2 days ago
Trump just invoked a 1930 tariff law no president has ever used — against Canada
Commentary
Trump just invoked a 1930 tariff law no president has ever used — against Canada
By Caleb PetittAugust 2, 2026
21 hours ago
Most billionaires are stuck in 'slow philanthropy.' MacKenzie Scott gave away $26 billion and won't stop until 'the safe is empty'
Success
Most billionaires are stuck in 'slow philanthropy.' MacKenzie Scott gave away $26 billion and won't stop until 'the safe is empty'
By Sydney LakeAugust 2, 2026
1 day ago
As Trump balks again at escalating war, Iran smells 'blood in the water' and looks to exploit its newfound strategic advantage, experts say
Middle East
As Trump balks again at escalating war, Iran smells 'blood in the water' and looks to exploit its newfound strategic advantage, experts say
By Jason MaAugust 2, 2026
16 hours ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.