History isn't always about brave charges or stoic warriors. Sometimes, it’s about a man who loved fried chicken so much he kept it in his pockets and was so terrified of thunderstorms he’d hide under his bed.
Meet John VI of Portugal.
Most people have never heard of him. If they have, they probably think of him as a punchline—a "flaccid," unwashed monarch who lost Brazil and died under mysterious circumstances. But honestly? That’s doing him a massive disservice. Dom João VI (as the Portuguese call him) was actually a low-key genius who played a losing hand better than almost any other royal in the 19th century.
While Napoleon was busy toppling every throne in Europe, John did something nobody else dared: he moved the entire capital of his empire to a different continent.
The Great Escape to Brazil
In 1807, Portugal was stuck. On one side, you had Napoleon Bonaparte, who was basically the era’s final boss, demanding that Portugal close its ports to the British. On the other side, you had the British, who were Portugal's oldest allies and had a navy that could turn Lisbon into a pile of rubble in a weekend.
John was the Prince Regent because his mother, Queen Maria I, had struggled with severe mental illness for years. People called her "Maria the Mad." John was essentially a guy who never wanted the job, thrust into a geopolitical nightmare.
Instead of fighting a war he knew he’d lose, he packed up.
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Everything.
We’re talking about 10,000 to 15,000 people—nobles, servants, libraries, the royal treasury, even the printing presses. They crammed onto ships and sailed across the Atlantic. It was messy. It was crowded. There was a lice outbreak so bad that the noblewomen had to shave their heads and wear turbans, which, funnily enough, became a fashion trend in Rio because the locals thought it was a "European style" choice.
How John VI of Portugal Built Brazil
When John arrived in Rio de Janeiro, it wasn't exactly a global hub. It was a colonial outpost with no universities, no newspapers, and zero infrastructure.
John changed that.
Basically overnight, he opened the ports to international trade (breaking the old colonial monopoly). He founded the Bank of Brazil. He started the Botanical Garden, the National Library, and the first medical schools. You've got to realize that Brazil wasn't just a colony anymore; it became the seat of the entire Portuguese Empire.
This is the only time in history a colony has served as the capital for its mother country.
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The Man, The Myth, The Snacking
Let's talk about the chicken.
Historical accounts—some probably exaggerated by his enemies—claim John VI of Portugal was a bit of an eccentric. He supposedly wore the same silk pants until they literally rotted off his body. His servants reportedly had to stitch up the holes while he was asleep because he hated new clothes.
And then there’s the food. He had a legendary appetite. Rumor has it he’d carry roasted chicken pieces in his pockets to snack on during meetings. It sounds gross, sure, but it also makes him feel weirdly human compared to the stiff, marble-statue version of other kings.
Despite his "soft" appearance, he was a master of the "wait and see" tactic. He’d delay decisions for months, frustrating Napoleon’s generals and British diplomats alike. But usually, by the time he acted, the situation had shifted in his favor.
The Poisoned End?
John eventually had to go back to Portugal in 1821. His people back home were furious that their King was living it up in the tropics while they dealt with the aftermath of the Peninsular War.
He left his son, Pedro, behind in Brazil. In one of history’s most famous "I saw that coming" moments, Pedro declared Brazil independent just a year later. John didn't even seem that mad about it. He reportedly told his son, "If Brazil must be independent, let it be under you, who will respect me, rather than under one of those adventurers."
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His death in 1826, however, was anything but peaceful.
For a long time, people thought he died of a stroke or heart failure. He was obese and didn't have the healthiest lifestyle. But in 2000, researchers exhumed his remains. They found enough arsenic in his system to kill a horse.
Who did it?
Most fingers point to his wife, Carlota Joaquina. They hated each other. Like, really hated each other. She was a Spanish princess who spent most of her life conspiring to overthrow him. Or it could have been the absolutist faction who thought he was becoming too "liberal." Either way, the "Clement King" went out with a literal bang to the gut.
Why He Still Matters
If John hadn't fled to Rio, Brazil might have ended up like Spanish America—broken into a dozen smaller, warring countries. Because he moved the court there, he provided a central authority that kept the massive territory together.
Actionable Insights for History Buffs
- Visit the Real Sites: If you're ever in Rio, go to the Quinta da Boa Vista. It was the royal residence. You can also see his influence at the Jardim Botânico, which is still one of the most beautiful spots in the city.
- Read the Nuance: Don't trust the 19th-century caricatures. Modern historians like Laurentino Gomes (author of the book 1808) give a much fairer look at how John's "weakness" was actually a survival strategy.
- The Power of the Pivot: John’s life is a masterclass in the "strategic retreat." Sometimes, when you can't win the fight, moving the entire board is the best move you can make.
John VI of Portugal wasn't the bravest man to ever wear a crown. He was sweaty, he was anxious, and he probably smelled like old poultry. But he saved his dynasty, birthed a giant nation, and outlasted Napoleon. That’s a win in any book.