top of page
Our history
Feldhagen family ancestry can be traced back over 800 years to medieval Spain, with its continuous presence in Brazil since the early 1700s — actively participating and investing across all major economic and political phases of the nation’s development.
From its noble and historical roots in Spain to its rise as a major coffee producer in 19th-century Brazil, a pioneer in infrastructure and banking, and a leader in medicine and social impact in the early 20th century, the family has forged a legacy of influence and resilience.
Today, this legacy continues with modern expertise in wealth management, investment, real estate and philanthropy. Guided by tradition but driven by innovation, the family remains committed to building institutions that serve both present needs and the responsibilities owed to future generations.
1100 - 1700
The origins of the Feldhagen family can be traced back over 800 years to the noble Bustamante lineage in northern Spain, particularly in the Cantabria region.
Historical and heraldic records point to a family renowned for its leadership, loyalty, and service to the Crown.
The family’s traditional coat of arms — thirteen blue roeles set against a white field — has long symbolized strength, honor, and enduring legacy.
1700 - 1800
Luís Fortes de Bustamante e Sá appears in historical records of the Captaincy of Rio de Janeiro as a crucial negotiator between Portuguese forces and French corsairs during the retaking of the city in the early 18th century. His acquisition of the sesmaria that would later give rise to the city of Juiz de Fora marked the beginning of a long-lasting legacy of landownership and agricultural prominence for the family.
Alongside this, the Miranda Sá branch emerged as prominent sugarcane producers in Campos dos Goytacazes, managing estates like the Engenho Cacomanga — strengthening the family’s presence across Brazil’s most vital agricultural regions.
Over the following generations, the Fortes de Bustamante and Miranda Sá descendants expanded their influence as major coffee and sugar producers, becoming prominent figures in the rural elite. Among the most notable heirs was the Barão de Santa Clara, whose estates, such as the Santa Clara farm, became symbols of wealth and progress during Brazil’s agricultural golden age.
1870s and the Industrial and Financial
Expansion
During the late 19th century, the family significantly expanded its influence beyond agriculture, becoming a pioneer in Brazil’s industrial and financial sectors.
Among its most notable figures was Comendador Crisanto de Miranda Sá, a key player in the foundation and leadership of the Estrada de Ferro do Carangola (Carangola Railroad), a major infrastructure project that connected vital coffee-producing regions to urban markets, boosting both local economies and national development.
In parallel, Adriano Fortes de Bustamante, another prominent family member, served as director of the Banco Agrícola do Brasil, reinforcing the family’s leadership in Brazil’s banking and financial system.
This era marked a strategic transition, as the family evolved from rural landownership and coffee production to a diversified portfolio of industrial ventures, transportation networks, and financial institutions.
Through their noble titles, landholdings, and institutional leadership, the Fortes de Bustamante and Miranda Sá branches played influential roles in shaping Brazil’s modernization, cementing their reputation not only as rural elites but also as visionary builders of the country’s economic future.
Among the most distinguished figures of this era stands João Baptista dos Santos, physician, statesman, and nobleman — elevated successively to Baron, Baron with Grandeza, and finally Viscount of Ibituruna by imperial decree between 1882 and 1889. A pioneer in Brazilian public health, he served as the first Inspector General of Public Hygiene, was a surgeon in the National Guard, and presided over the Province of Minas Gerais in 1889.
He was a Commander of the Royal Order of Christ of Portugal, Officer of the Imperial Order of the Rose, and member of both the Imperial Academy of Medicine and the Brazilian Historical and Geographical Institute — placing him among the intellectual and moral elites of the late Empire. His legacy is a cornerstone of the House’s civic and institutional heritage.
1930s - 2000
In the 20th century, the family strengthened its role in Brazil’s urban and institutional landscape. Dr. Azevedo Lima emerged as a leading figure in public health, being one of the founders of the Liga Brasileira Contra a Tuberculose (Brazilian League Against Tuberculosis), an institution that played a pivotal role in advancing medical care, public health awareness, and social well-being in Brazil. His contributions marked the family’s deep commitment to civic responsibility and national development.
At the same time, the family strategically redirected part of its wealth into urban real estate investments, assembling a diversified portfolio of properties in Rio de Janeiro, including holdings in prestigious neighborhoods such as Copacabana. These investments not only reflected financial foresight but also cemented the family’s presence as a sophisticated urban force, balancing public service with private enterprise.
This period marked a decisive shift from agricultural and industrial roots to urban influence, reinforcing the family’s legacy as both civic leaders and shapers of Brazil’s modern financial and cultural landscape.
2000 - Present
In the 21st century, the Feldhagen House entered a new era, consolidating its role as a steward of wealth, innovation, and institutional leadership. Drawing upon centuries of ancestral legacy, the family expanded its operations through Fortes Equities — a dynamic financial firm specializing in wealth management, investment banking, and multi-family office services.
Building on its longstanding institutional identity, the House continues to bring together financial ventures, philanthropic commitments, and cultural heritage under a unified vision. This ongoing evolution marks a decisive step in transforming private legacy into public presence, positioning the House as a modern actor with global ambitions.
Currently, the Feldhagen Foundation is being established to formalize the House’s philanthropic mission, expanding its reach into social impact, cultural patronage, and long-term charitable initiatives.
Guided by principles of discretion, responsibility, and long-term vision, the Feldhagen House operates across financial markets, philanthropic efforts, and cultural projects, always with an eye on building bridges between tradition and innovation. Its work today honors the past not by replicating it, but by evolving it — shaping new legacies to serve future generations.
bottom of page