Brazilian president declares national mourning for death of former First Lady

Brazilian President Michel Temer declared three days of national mourning Friday over the death of former First Lady Marisa Leticia Lula da Silva, wife of former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Mrs. Lula died on Friday,though news that her brain no longer had activity was released to the press on Thursday. She was 66 and is survived by four sons and several grandchildren.

Temer's gesture mirrors an action taken by Lula in 2008, when Ruth Cardoso, wife of Lula's predecessor Fernando Henrique Cardoso, died of heart problems. At the time, Lula declared national mourning and attended the funeral as well.

Temer paid a visit of condolences to former President Lula on Thursday evening. It is not known yet whether he will attend Mrs. Lula's funeral, which will be held on Saturday in the Metallurgy Workers' Trade Union at Sao Bernardo do Campo, Sao Paulo state.

Several Brazilian officials are expected to attend the wake, which will be open to the public. Later on, there will be a cremation ceremony restricted to the family.

Mrs. Lula comes from a family of poor Italian immigrants. She started working at age nine as a nanny for a wealthy family.

She was a widow when she first met Lula. Her first husband, a taxi driver, died while she was pregnant with her first child. She married Lula in 1974 and had other three sons with him.

She was involved with political and trade union militancy in the late 1970s and was a member of the Workers' Party. Mrs. Lula was known as a discreet First Lady, who disliked giving interviews and was not taken to the limelight. Endi