Hélio Gracie · Lineage tree

Teachers (2)

• 
  Carlos Gracie

  sports_martial_artsBrazilian jiu-jitsu Confirmed

  Confirmed

  Well-documented brother relationship and teaching

  The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.

  (1925)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  Well-documented brother relationship and teaching

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “meu Jiu Jitsu era muito diferente do dele. O meu fôra aprendido há muitos anos com o meu irmão Carlos”

  — SILVA, Elton; CORRÊA, Eduardo. Muito antes do MMA: O legado dos precursores do Vale Tudo no Brasil e no mundo. 2020.info

  “Observador, Hélio passou a acompanhar, dos seus treze aos dezesseis anos, as aulas ministradas por Carlos.”

  — Wikipedia: Hélio Gracielink history
• 
  Miura Saku

  sports_martial_artsBrazilian jiu-jitsu Probable

  Probable

  Documented but less prominent than Carlos' teaching role

  The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source expand_more

  fact_check

  Documented but less prominent than Carlos' teaching role

  “Hélio foi treinado por George para as suas primeiras lutas, antes deste romper com Carlos em 1934”

  — SILVA, Elton; CORRÊA, Eduardo. Muito antes do MMA: O legado dos precursores do Vale Tudo no Brasil e no mundo. 2020.info

Ranks (1)

• sports_martial_artsBrazilian jiu-jitsu

  receipt_longRed belt, degree 10 Confirmed

  Confirmed

  Independent sources state it, including the IBJJF's own graduation system; the date is not documented.

  The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.

  BJJ Ranking System

  granted by International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  Independent sources state it, including the IBJJF's own graduation system; the date is not documented.

  “Hélio Gracie foi o último condecorado com a faixa vermelha 10º grau”

  — Faixa vermelha lembra ensinamentos de Hélio Gracie oito anos após morte (Globo)link

  “The 10th (Tenth) Degree (Red Belt) was given only to the pioneers of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: Carlos, Oswaldo, George, Gastão e Helio”

  — (2026-06-11). IBJJF Graduation Systemlink history info

Offices held (1)

• corporate_farePresidentFederação de Jiu-Jitsu do Estado do Rio de Janeiro Probable

  Probable

  Single source.

  The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.

  1967

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source expand_more

  fact_check

  Single source.

  “The manual was likely to have been written by Hélcio Leal Binda and was approved by Helio, the federation’s president.”

  — Drysdale, Robert. (2023). The Rise and Evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: From Vale-Tudo, to Carlson Gracie, to its Democratization info

Students (11)

• person
  Royler Gracie

  sports_martial_artsBrazilian jiu-jitsu Probable

  Probable

  His own account only.

  The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source expand_more

  fact_check

  His own account only.

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “I had my Uncle [Carlos], my father who was the main one, my brothers and cousins.”

  — Drysdale, Robert. (2023). The Rise and Evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: From Vale-Tudo, to Carlson Gracie, to its Democratization info
• person
  Royce Gracie

  sports_martial_artsBrazilian jiu-jitsu Possible

  Possible

  Two sources imply it; neither states it.

  Some evidence points to the claim, but it is thin, indirect, or in unresolved conflict with other evidence.

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  Two sources imply it; neither states it.

  alt_routeIndirect

  “Royce Gracie – Helio’s son and the star of the early UFCs.”

  — Drysdale, Robert. (2023). The Rise and Evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: From Vale-Tudo, to Carlson Gracie, to its Democratization info

  alt_routeIndirect

  “Rickson Gracie (1958–) was the logical choice to represent the family style, but after Rorion discovered Rickson teaching students outside Rorion’s Gracie Academy, Rorion instead chose another brother, Royce (1966–), to showcase Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in this event”

  — Green, Thomas A.; Svinth, Joseph R.. (2010). Martial Arts of the World: An Encyclopedia of History and Innovation info
• 
  Rorion Gracie

  sports_martial_artsBrazilian jiu-jitsu Confirmed

  Confirmed

  The official Rorion Gracie biography states he is the eldest son of Hélio Gracie, was introduced to Gracie Jiu-Jitsu before he could walk, and trained under his father's supervision from childhood; the Royce Gracie Lifestyle article corroborates the father-son training relationship

  The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  The official Rorion Gracie biography states he is the eldest son of Hélio Gracie, was introduced to Gracie Jiu-Jitsu before he could walk, and trained under his father's supervision from childhood; the Royce Gracie Lifestyle article corroborates the father-son training relationship

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “Rorion Gracie, the eldest son of Grand Master Helio Gracie, was introduced to Gracie Jiu-Jitsu before he could walk. Trained under his father's watchful eye, he was raised to become a master of the art.”

  — Rorion Gracie. About Rorion (Rorion Gracie Official)link history info

  “Back in Brazil, Rorion spent the 1970s preparing for his return. He enrolled at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and earned a law degree while continuing to teach jiu-jitsu at his father Hélio's academy.”

  — Royce Gracie Lifestyle. (2026). Gracie Spotlight: Rorion Gracie — The Man Who Built the UFC (Royce Gracie Lifestyle)link history info
• 
  Romero Cavalcanti

  sports_martial_artsBrazilian jiu-jitsu Possible

  Possible

  Wikipedia records Helio Gracie in Cavalcanti's instructor lineage, but the cited passage only places Cavalcanti at the Gracie school in Copacabana where Helio taught - it doesn't state the teacher relationship directly, only implies it

  Some evidence points to the claim, but it is thin, indirect, or in unresolved conflict with other evidence.

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source expand_more

  fact_check

  Wikipedia records Helio Gracie in Cavalcanti's instructor lineage, but the cited passage only places Cavalcanti at the Gracie school in Copacabana where Helio taught - it doesn't state the teacher relationship directly, only implies it

  alt_routeIndirect

  “By the age of 16, Romero regularly attended jiu jitsu classes at the famous Gracie School in Copacabana where he grew up, alongside Carlos Gracie, Jr., Crolin Gracie, Mario Claudio Tallarico, Fábio Santos, Mauricio Motta Gomes, the Machados, and Rickson Gracie.”

  — Romero Cavalcanti - Wikipedialink history
• 
  Rolls Gracie

  sports_martial_artsBrazilian jiu-jitsu Confirmed

  Confirmed

  The family's official biography states Rolls was raised for the most part by his uncle Helio Gracie; two other sources corroborate that Helio taught him jiu-jitsu from before he could walk. Period is approximate: birth (1951) through his departure for Carlson Gracie's Copacabana academy around 1970

  The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.

  (1951–1970)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  4 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  The family's official biography states Rolls was raised for the most part by his uncle Helio Gracie; two other sources corroborate that Helio taught him jiu-jitsu from before he could walk. Period is approximate: birth (1951) through his departure for Carlson Gracie's Copacabana academy around 1970

  “He was the son of Gracie Jiu Jitsu founder Carlos Gracie, although he was raised for the most part by his uncle, Helio Gracie, at Carlos' request”

  — Rolls Gracie Family. Rolls Gracie - Biography (RollsGracie.com)link history info

  “Hélio começou a ensinar jiu-jitsu a Rolls antes do menino aprender a andar. Aos 12, o garoto ajudava o tio nas aulas na Academia Gracie.”

  — Aguinaga, Armando. (2015). Rolls, o Gracie que morreu antes de virar lendalink history info

  “Desde muito novo, antes mesmo de começar a andar Hélio ensinava Jiu Jitsu ao pequeno Rolls, aos 12 anos de idade o garoto já ajudava nas aulas ministradas por seu tio, na Academia Gracie.”

  — BJJ Fanatics BR. Há Exatos 39 Anos Rolls Gracie Nos Deixava - BJJ Fanatics BRlink history info

  “Filho de Carlos criado por Helio Gracie”

  — Graciemag Redação. (2020). As lições de Rolls Gracie, o faixa-preta que morreu jovem e mudou a história do Jiu-Jitsu link history info
• 
  Rickson Gracie

  sports_martial_artsBrazilian jiu-jitsu Confirmed

  Confirmed

  Rickson is the son of Hélio Gracie and trained under him from childhood; awarded black belt at 18

  The evidence establishes the claim: it is sufficient and consistent, and any conflicting evidence is resolved.

  (1965)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  Rickson is the son of Hélio Gracie and trained under him from childhood; awarded black belt at 18

  “Treinador Hélio Gracie (BJJ)”

  — Wikipedia contributors. (2026). Rickson Gracie - Wikipedia (Portuguese). Wikipedia (Portuguese)link history info

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “Helio Gracie's third son Rickson was born into Gracie Jiu Jitsu [...] was awarded his black belt by his father at eighteen”

  — (2022). Rickson Gracie: Aboutlink history info
• 
  Relson Gracie

  sports_martial_artsBrazilian jiu-jitsu Probable

  Probable

  BJJ Heroes records Relson's lineage as Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Relson Gracie and states that Helio handed Relson his black belt after seven years as a brown belt; Wikidata also lists Helio Gracie as his student of (P1066)

  The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  BJJ Heroes records Relson's lineage as Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Relson Gracie and states that Helio handed Relson his black belt after seven years as a brown belt; Wikidata also lists Helio Gracie as his student of (P1066)

  “Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Relson Gracie”

  — BJJ Heroes. Relson Gracie (BJJ Heroes). BJJ Heroes link history info

  “Helio Gracie had Relson wait 7 long years in the brown belt division before he handed him his black belt.”

  — BJJ Heroes. Relson Gracie (BJJ Heroes). BJJ Heroes link history info
• 
  Pedro Valente Sr.

  sports_martial_artsBrazilian jiu-jitsu Probable

  Probable

  GracieMag interview confirms training with Hélio Gracie starting 1951

  The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.

  location_onGracie Academy badge (1951)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source expand_more

  fact_check

  GracieMag interview confirms training with Hélio Gracie starting 1951

  “My father took me to the Gracie Academy in downtown Rio back in the 50's. I was 13 then and started to learn Jiu-Jitsu. Later on I participated at some fights at Maracanãzinho”

  — Interview with red-belt Pedro Valente Sr. - GracieMaglink
• person
  Luis de França Filho

  sports_martial_artsBrazilian jiu-jitsu Probable

  Probable

  Book source mentions training with Hélio Gracie in Rio de Janeiro

  The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source expand_more

  fact_check

  Book source mentions training with Hélio Gracie in Rio de Janeiro

  “Posteriormente, deu continuidade ao seu aprendizado no Rio de Janeiro com Geo Omori, Takeo Yano e Hélio Gracie”

  — SILVA, Elton; CORRÊA, Eduardo. Muito antes do MMA: O legado dos precursores do Vale Tudo no Brasil e no mundo. 2020.info
• person
  Joaquim Valente

  sports_martial_artsBrazilian jiu-jitsu Probable

  Probable

  Joaquim trained under Hélio Gracie from age 2 and received his Professor's Diploma directly from him in 2007; documented on the Valente Brothers official website

  The evidence favours the claim and nothing credible contradicts it, but it falls short of establishing it.

  (1991)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  1 source expand_more

  fact_check

  Joaquim trained under Hélio Gracie from age 2 and received his Professor's Diploma directly from him in 2007; documented on the Valente Brothers official website

  visibilityFirst-hand

  “At the tender age of two, Pedro, Gui and Joaquim were already taking private lessons from Grandmaster Hélio Gracie.”

  — Our Story - Valente Brotherslink history info
• 
  Carlson Gracie

  sports_martial_artsBrazilian jiu-jitsu Possiblebalance

  Possible – conflicting evidence recorded

  The Wikipedia infobox lists it, unsourced; Carlson himself credited only his father.

  Some evidence points to the claim, but it is thin, indirect, or in unresolved conflict with other evidence.

  (1940)

  fact_checkassessed by FSMverified

  Frederico Muñoz

  Researcher, Martialis

  2 sources expand_more

  fact_check

  The Wikipedia infobox lists it, unsourced; Carlson himself credited only his father.

  “Teachers: Carlos Gracie, Helio Gracie”

  — Wikipedia contributors. (2026). Carlson Gracie. Wikipedia (English)link history info

  blockdisputesvisibilityFirst-hand

  “We’d be talking and I’d say, “… your dad? What about Helio?” And Carlson would go “Tio Helio é o caralho! quem me ensinou foi meu pai” (Uncle Helio no way! My father was the one who taught me).”

  — Drysdale, Robert. (2023). The Rise and Evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: From Vale-Tudo, to Carlson Gracie, to its Democratization info

Sources

Identifiers