Quadros' victory was the largest of any
free election in Brazilian history at the time; the 16 percent margin of victory would remain a record until
Fernando Henrique Cardoso won by 27 points in
1994. When Quadros took office on 31 January 1961, it marked the first time since Brazil had become a republic in 1889 that an incumbent government
peacefully transferred power to an elected member of the opposition. It also marked the first time in 31 years that the presidency had not been won by an heir to the legacy of
Getúlio Vargas.
This would be the last direct presidential election held in Brazil until
1989.