Thales Bretas discusses solo parenting of Paulo Gustavo's children

Dermatologist Thales Bretas has discussed the challenges and dynamics of being a solo parent to Romeo and Gael, the children of the late Brazilian comedian Paulo Gustavo. In an interview on the podcast ‘A Mamãe Já Volta’, Bretas described his role as being ‘half mother, half father’ due to the absence of a maternal figure in the household.

Bretas noted that this family structure was a deliberate choice made by him and Gustavo prior to the comedian's death in 2021. He emphasized that the children are being raised in a model consisting of two fathers, which was the vision the couple shared. While acknowledging the cultural and social expectations typically assigned to mothers, Bretas stated that the boys do not have a maternal figure because they are the children of two men.

Although Bretas manages the primary daily responsibilities, he mentioned that he relies on a support network including the children's grandparents and aunts to assist in their upbringing.