Renata Saldanha BBB 25 winner story – 33 year old bailarina won R$2.72 million, dating Maike Cruz boyfriend, net worth revealed, complete biography 2025.
Table of Contents
So Renata Saldanha BBB 25 victory was honestly one of the craziest things Brazil saw in 2025. This 33 year old dancer from Fortaleza literally came out of nowhere and grabbed that R$2.72 million prize with 51.90% votes on April 22. Nobody expected it but here we are.
Born January 27, 1992 in Barroso neighborhood, Renata grew up dirt poor. Her mom Eulália raised her alone, working crazy hours just putting food on table. At 8 years old Renata found EDISCA – this dance program for poor kids – and that literally changed everything for her.
Fast forward to 2025, she’s dating swimmer Maike Cruz, got over 1 million Instagram followers, and became first person from Ceará to win Big Brother Brasil. The story’s wild from start to finish.
Untold Story: Poor Kid Who Found Dance
Renata’s childhood was tough as hell. Barroso neighborhood isn’t exactly Beverly Hills you know. Her mom worked multiple jobs, father wasn’t around, money was always problem. Most kids in her situation don’t make it out but Renata was different.
At 8 she walked into EDISCA and discovered ballet. This wasn’t just some hobby – it became her whole life. The program taught her discipline, responsibility, how to dream big even when your reality says dream small. She practiced hours every day even when other kids played outside.
The hard part? Ballet world is brutal about body standards. Young Renata struggled with body image issues, feeling like she wasn’t good enough, wasn’t thin enough, wasn’t perfect enough. She’s talked about this openly – how she fought insecurity daily while trying to become professional dancer. But she pushed through because quitting wasn’t option.
And EDISCA gave her Eva Pacheco too. They met as kids 25 years ago. That friendship survived everything – poverty, struggles, different life paths – and eventually both of them entered BBB 25 house together as partners. Not many friendships last 25 years right?
Quick Bio Table
| Info | Details |
| Full Name | Renata Saldanha de Souza Peixoto |
| Birthday | January 27, 1992 |
| Age | 33 years |
| From | Fortaleza, Ceará |
| Height | 1.62m |
| Job | Dancer, Teacher, Influencer |
| Show | BBB 25 |
| Won | R$2.72 million |
| Votes | 51.90% |
| @_renatasaldanha | |
| Followers | 1M+ |
| Dating | Maike Cruz |
| BFF | Eva Pacheco |
Building Career Before BBB Fame Hit
After EDISCA, Renata went full beast mode on education. Got Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education. Then got post-graduate degree in Physical Preparation. She wanted understanding body mechanics, injury prevention, training science – not just dance moves.
She became dance teacher and rhythmic gymnastics coordinator in Fortaleza. Students learned way more than steps from her. They learned life lessons – never give up, believe in yourself, work harder than everyone else. She won multiple awards in Brazilian dance community and built solid reputation.
Around 2023 social media happened. Her and Eva posted video doing “Passinho do Gira Gira” on TikTok and boom – 1 million views. People loved their vibe, their friendship, their talent. Before BBB she had around 90K Instagram followers just from being authentic and posting dance content.
When BBB 25 came calling January 2025, Renata wasn’t desperate. She was already successful, already fulfilled. She saw it as platform telling her story bigger, representing Ceará on national TV, proving that poor kids can win too. Her and Eva entered as “Pipoca” team January 13.
BBB 25 Game Strategy Revealed
Day one was statement. Renata and Eva won first immunity challenge – endurance competition lasting over 6 hours. Most people quit after 20 minutes. Her dance conditioning was unfair advantage. That win told everyone she came to compete not make friends.
Next 100+ days she survived six elimination votes. Her personality was intense – super direct, loses patience fast, likes being center of attention. Eva joked that depending on Renata’s mood she might snap at you. But viewers loved the realness. No fake TV personality. Just authentic Renata.
Biggest game twist was “Vitrine do Seu Fifi” where she left house temporarily and got outside information about how public viewed players. She came back with insider knowledge about alliances, who viewers liked, who they hated. That information was pure gold for strategy.
She won “Anjo” power Week 10 and became “Líder” Week 5. Both times she made bold moves protecting allies or targeting enemies. Her ballet training gave her physical edges in challenges others couldn’t match. Balance competitions? Easy for her. Endurance? Please.
Finale April 22 was insane. Renata vs Guilherme Vilar vs João Pedro Siqueira. Total 178 million votes from Brazilian public. When Tadeu announced 51.90% for Renata, she couldn’t believe it. Her mom Eulália was there in studio after being terrified to leave Fortaleza. That moment was everything.
Secret Romance: Renata Saldanha Boyfriend Maike Cruz
Nobody saw this coming. Renata finding love on BBB 25? With Maike Cruz, 30 year old swimmer from São Paulo? But it happened.
Their friendship started early in game but romance came final weeks. First kiss was during party when “Medo Bobo” played. The chemistry was obvious to everyone watching. Maike joked about his swimmer endurance, Renata laughed and fired back. Connection was real but complicated since they competed for same prize.
After BBB, fans went crazy wanting to know relationship status. Renata was smart about it. Told Extra in May she needed time “restructuring herself” before jumping into relationship. Inside house everything’s intense – outside they needed knowing each other without cameras.
July 2025 she made it official to Hugo Gloss: “This affair has label now. We’re dating.” They took months figuring out if connection worked with different cities (she’s Fortaleza, he’s São Paulo), different routines, different careers. Answer was yes.
September she told CARAS magazine relationship going strong. October they appeared at São Paulo Fashion Week together looking happy. Maike told CNN it’s “wonderful, we’re keeping feet on ground and knowing each other better daily.”
What’s cool is maturity. No rushing, no desperate social media spam. Just two people building something real while handling sudden fame individually. Renata maintains own identity instead of becoming “Maike’s girlfriend” only.
Renata Saldanha Net Worth After Winning
Winning R$2.72 million obviously changed everything financially. But here’s what she did first – took care of mom. Eulália sacrificed everything supporting Renata’s dreams when money was tight. Now Renata gave her financial security and comfort. That was priority one.
Social media explosion was crazy. Jumped from 90K to 1.2 million Instagram followers during show. Today sitting at 1M+ making her top Brazilian influencer in dance and fitness. She signed with Globo talent management for commercial deals, working with major brands.
She stepped back from active teaching after 20+ years. Not abandoning dance but career evolved. Created “Um passo de cada vez” social media series showing even professionals have “first steps” in certain styles. Beautiful way staying connected to passion.
Stayed committed to causes that matter. May 2025 participated in Projeto Estação Favela graduation with CUFA president Preto Zezé. She gets representation power – kids from Barroso seeing someone like them achieving success inspires believing in possibilities.
Unexpected was estranged father reappearing after victory. Never been close with him so sudden contact raised eyebrows. She handled maturely, told Extra doesn’t necessarily think it was about money. Taking potential relationship day by day.
Truth About What Made Her Win
Renata’s BBB 25 approach wasn’t typical at all. Most contestants blend in, avoid confrontation, play safe. She embraced being direct even creating friction. Described herself as liking “being center of situations” and losing “patience with slow people.” That honesty could’ve destroyed game but became superpower instead.
Dance background was basically unfair advantage. Physical challenges exhausting others? Breezed through with decades conditioning. Mental pressure of constant watching? Performed on stage with hundreds eyes for years. Reading body language? Ensemble dance taught social choreography.
What truly set her apart was emotional intelligence plus strategic gameplay. Wasn’t just reacting – thinking several moves ahead. When got external information twist didn’t immediately act on everything. Strategically deployed knowledge at perfect moments shifting dynamics.
She represented something bigger than entertainment. For millions Brazilians from similar circumstances – poor communities, single parents, impossible dreams – Renata was living proof dreams come true. Never hid humble background or pretended privilege. Owned story completely.
Her impact extends beyond TV. Dance schools across Brazil reported increased enrollment after victory, especially programs serving low-income communities. EDISCA got more attention and funding. Young girls from Fortaleza now have proof they can achieve national recognition.
Latest Updates November 2025
Right now November 2025, Renata continues riding post-BBB success while staying grounded. Recent sightings show her and Maike at events together looking committed. Relationship thriving despite different cities and demanding careers.
Professionally she’s selective about opportunities, preferring quality over quantity. Focused building sustainable influencer career not oversaturating audience. Strategic approach shows long-term thinking about brand and legacy.
Social media presence remains strong with consistent engagement from 1M+ followers. Unlike some reality winners whose numbers drop after season, Renata maintained relevance providing authentic content audience genuinely wants. Dance content, motivation, personal glimpses balance aspirational and relatable.
No major controversies since leaving BBB which is notable itself. Many reality winners stumble with newfound fame making PR mistakes or drama. Renata avoided pitfalls through maturity, good management, staying connected to people and values keeping her grounded.
Industry insiders speculate she could become one Brazil’s most successful BBB winner transitions. Got personality for TV, expertise in dance and fitness brands want, inspiring backstory audiences connect with emotionally.
5 Most Asked Questions
How old is Renata Saldanha right now?
She’s 33 years old born January 27, 1992. Celebrated birthday inside BBB 25 house during competition. Contestants surprised her with modest celebration despite being on “Xepa” limited food that week. They sang “Parabéns” and gave her goiabada piece since that’s all food available then.
Is Renata Saldanha still with Maike Cruz boyfriend?
Yes still dating as November 2025. Made relationship official July 2025 after taking months post-BBB figuring if connection worked outside house. Despite different cities (Renata Fortaleza, Maike São Paulo) maintain relationship through frequent visits. Spotted together multiple events including São Paulo Fashion Week October.
What’s Renata Saldanha net worth after BBB?
Won R$2.72 million grand prize securing 51.90% public vote in finale April 22, 2025. Voting was intense with 178 million total votes from Brazilian viewers. Beat Guilherme Vilar 38% second place and João Pedro Siqueira 4.72% third place. First Ceará person ever winning Big Brother Brasil.
What’s Renata Saldanha Instagram handle?
Official Instagram @_renatasaldanha with over 1 million followers currently. Massive jump from roughly 90K before BBB 25. Gained 1.2 million new followers during show time. Content mixes dance tutorials, motivation, behind-scenes post-BBB life, occasional sponsored partnerships.
Does Renata still teach dance after winning?
Stepped back from active daily teaching but hasn’t abandoned dance. Focuses influencer career now and created “Um passo de cada vez” social series sharing dance content. Still involved rhythmic gymnastics coordination and special dance events occasionally. Career evolved beyond studio into digital content.
Final Words
The whole Renata Saldanha BBB 25 story proves something important. Doesn’t matter where you start – matters where you’re going and how hard you work getting there. Girl from Barroso neighborhood with single mom and no money became national champion winning R$2.72 million.
What makes her different is authenticity. Never tried being someone else. Never hid her accent, her background, her struggles. Just stayed real throughout everything. That’s why millions people voted for her. That’s why she’s got 1M+ followers now. That’s why her story matters.
She’s building influencer career now, maintaining relationship with Maike Cruz boyfriend, supporting causes helping poor kids get dance education, inspiring next generation showing them what’s possible. The prize money changed bank account but real victory is impact she’s making.
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The information provided in this article about Renata Saldanha is based on publicly available sources, media reports, interviews, and online references. While we strive for accuracy, we do not guarantee that every detail is 100% correct or up-to-date. This content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not intend to defame, violate privacy, or provide financial or legal advice. If any data or media belongs to the rightful owner and requires removal or correction, kindly contact us.
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