Pittsburgh Connections: Gisele Fetterman fled the violence in Brazil

The wife of Braddock's mayor is keeping a close eye on the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and how they affect her home country.

Gisele Fetterman, the wife of Braddock mayor John Fetterman, grew up in Rio and moved to the United States in the 1990’s. She, her mother and brother moved here for one reason.

• VIDEO: Gisele Fetterman compares Rio de Janeiro to Pittsburgh

“Escaping violence,” Fetterman said. “It was one year, my aunt was robbed multiple times and spoke about it so casually like it was normal. She frightened my mom. She didn’t want us to think it was normal, so she began looking for a safer place to live.”

Now she’s a proud Pittsburgher, and says there are a lot of similarities between Brazilians and people here in western Pennsylvania.

“Brazilians are very warm and welcoming, and I see Pittsburgh is the same way,” she said. “They have really celebrated my background and me being from another country. I love that about Pittsburgh.”

Fetterman said she’s excited that her native city will be in the world spotlight with the Summer Games. She’s constantly in touch with her father and uncle who remain in Rio de Janeiro. They tell her things are drastically changing before their eyes.

“My uncle owns a small school and all the land around him was purchased overnight,” Fetterman said. “All those high rises came in. People wonder what happens when the Olympics leaves.”

Fetterman is hoping the games will be a springboard to improve the country she left behind.

“There are a lot of people who live in immense poverty and millions are being spend on this,” she said. “Hopefully, it’s an investment to the future.”

Cox Media Group