Love for parties and billionaire’s widow: who is the socialite who accuses ex-driver of keeping her in prison | Fantastic

Childless, she inherited a billion-dollar fortune when her husband died 30 years ago. Nestor Gonçalves was a farmer and businessman. He became the owner of the graphics park that produced Copag decks — very popular in Brazil.

Regina was known for throwing extravagant parties, but she was no longer seen in the building’s common areas, which worried neighbors. They made an anonymous complaint to the Rio Public Ministry in May 2022. At the time, they said they tried in vain to contact Regina.

Regina stayed in the apartment with former driver José Marcos Chaves Ribeiro. The socialite accuses him of keeping her imprisoned for 10 years in her own apartment. To Fantástico this Sunday (28), she said that it was only on January 2nd of this year that she managed to leave alone and go to the house of her only living brother, who also lives in Copacabana. She says she was held captive and that the former driver isolated her.

“I decided to run away. I decided to put an end to it. The day I went to look for my brother’s house, I spoke, I arrived, they scared me. I had lost more than 30 kilos. I was pure bones.”

“He took cell phones. I lived like that, without being able to have contact with anyone. I was in captivity.”

José Marcos claims that the two had a romantic relationship. He said he was Regina’s husband, which she denies.

There is a stable union deed registered in 2021. At the time, Marcos was 50 years old. Regina was 85. The document states that both were in full use of their mental faculties.

Fantástico tried to talk to him several times this week — without success.

In addition to looking for José Marcos, Fantástico also tried to speak to the former driver’s defense about the accusations made by Regina’s family by phone and messages. His lawyer was adamant: he said he wouldn’t give an interview either.

The situation today is that there are two court decisions. In the criminal area, José Marcos is prohibited from approaching the socialite. But in the civil area, the former driver is responsible for managing all of Dona Regina’s assets.

Socialite accuses former driver of keeping her imprisoned for 10 years in her own apartment in Copacabana