I live in a posh McDonald’s with my mum – my Brit dad sends us money for meals & it’s safer than being in a shelter
A MUM and daughter have spent three months living in a posh McDonald’s branch after they were allegedly evicted from their home.
The pair are reportedly planning to stay at the Brazilian fast food joint as long as it takes them to find a home within their budget.
The women, aged 64 and 31, claimed to be receiving financial support from the younger woman’s father who is from England and living in the UK, according to local reports.
Mum Susane Paula Muratoni Geremia and daughter Bruna Muratori Geremia, as they were identified locally, were seen in the McDonald’s branch with designer suitcases packed with belongings.
They were said to stay in the joint all day, sitting at a table and eating their meals, until they were asked to leave at closing time: 5am.
The pair would then move outside the restaurant, located in the upmarket Leblon neighbourhood of Rio de Janeiro, and sleep on the street until McDonald’s opens again at 10am.
Susane and Bruna were both said to own mobile phones and pay for their meals, and reportedly claimed that they would prefer to stay in the restaurant than in a homeless shelter.
Bruna told Brazilian news outlet CBN that they were looking for an apartment to rent in the area and would happily stay at the restaurant until they managed to find one within their budget.
She said: “It’s peaceful here and I feel safe and welcome.
“The staff treated us very well.”
The younger woman was said to be fluent in English and Spanish, also speaking some French, and previously worked as a languages teacher, a hotel attendant, a receptionist, and in restaurants in Rio.
Her ex-colleagues described her as “mysterious” and “closed”, reported CBN.
Both women suggested they did not understand the curiosity their situation stirred, arguing their situation was common in Europe and in the United States.
Susane said: “I find everything ridiculous. I can’t understand how this snowball effect happened.”
Her daughter Bruna added: “I did not want to have myself put in the spotlight this, I didn’t want fame or visibility for being homeless.
“Nobody wants to live on the street, and I miss sleeping in a bed.
“But this problem is for me and my mother, and a system that conspires against you when you don’t have lots of money in the housing market.”
They reportedly rejected offers of help from passersby and social workers, although CBN reported they showered at locals’ houses.
Local media said the pair were well-dressed with carefully-groomed hair and did their makeup every day.
They reportedly both had mobile phones – that were always fully charged – and kept five large suitcases close by, stuffed with tennis rackets, clothes, books, shoes, and other accessories.
Reportedly born in Rio Grande do Sul, the women were said to have lived in Rio de Janeiro for eight years.
They allegedly found themselves homeless after a series of police complaints and court convictions for bad behaviour – and were kicked out of hotels along the famous Copacabana beach for failing to pay for their stay.
They were also evicted from a rented apartment for not paying, according to local media.
Both mum and daughter denied not having paid debts.