Ana Beatriz
A Brazilian trailblazer who shattered barriers in American open-wheel racing, becoming the first woman to win an Indy Lights race.
Born 1985 (age 41)·Brazilian racing driver·Birthday: March 18·Millennials
Biography
Ana Beatriz, or Bia Figueiredo, raced with a quiet determination that spoke louder than any headline. Growing up in a karting-obsessed family in São Paulo, she quickly proved speed knew no gender. Her breakthrough came in the competitive ladder series leading to IndyCar. In 2008, driving for Sam Schmidt Motorsports, she seized a piece of history at the Nashville Superspeedway, winning an Indy Lights race—the first woman to do so. That victory was a key, unlocking the door to the IndyCar Series, where she became a regular competitor for several seasons. While podiums at the highest level proved elusive, her consistent, skilled performances in a notoriously physical championship earned deep respect. She paved a concrete runway for the next generation of female drivers in a sport long dominated by men.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Ana was born in 1985, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Ana Was Born
The biggest hits of 1985
#1 Movie
Back to the Future
Best Picture
Out of Africa
#1 TV Show
Dynasty
Ana's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1985Born
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1990Started school
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1998Became a teenager
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2001Could drive
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2003Could vote
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2006Turned 21
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2015Turned 30
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2025Turned 40
AI agents go mainstream
Gas: $3.10/galHome: $385,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"APT." — Rose & Bruno Mars
2026Age 41 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Became the first female driver to win a race in the Indy Lights series, at Nashville in 2008.
- Finished third in the 2009 Indy Lights championship standings, with multiple podium finishes.
- Competed in the Indianapolis 500 three times, with a best finish of 21st in 2013.
Did You Know?
She is the younger sister of former Formula One and IndyCar driver Enrique Bernoldi.
Before her Indy Lights success, she won the Brazilian Formula Renault championship in 2004.
She tested a Formula One car for the Honda F1 team in 2007 at the Jerez circuit in Spain.
“My helmet is the same as the others; the track doesn't see gender.”
