Shivangi Sinha
The desire for companionship and someone to share life with is universal, and this time, Netflix’s ‘Love Is Blind Brazil: Never Too Late’ brings a fresh twist. In its fifth season, the show gathered individuals over the age of 50 to explore whether love is truly blind and find their answers to that question. Lucielma Cardeal was one of those seeking connection, and when she began talking to Mario Alves, she felt emotions she hadn’t experienced in years. Despite their differences, the two chose each other and committed to seeing the journey through together.
Lucielma and Mario Did Not Share a Similar Love For One Another
Lucielma Cardeal openly shared that her past had not been kind to her when it came to love. She revealed that she had been cheated on and had also endured a relationship where she was physically abused. These painful experiences had deeply shaken her faith in romance and left her hesitant to trust again. It was only after her three children encouraged her to take a chance on the experiment that she decided to give it a try. Lucielma admitted she didn’t expect to meet someone truly meaningful until she began speaking with Mario Roberto Alves. For Mario, love was something he believed in as a matter of fate, and he felt it happened when the timing was right. He got close to Lucielma and spoke to her, but their journey wasn’t entirely smooth.
Lucielma initially had concerns when she learned that Mario did not own a house and lived in a more unconventional way than she was used to. Their religious differences also worried her as she was an Evangelical, while Mario practiced Candomblé. She feared her traditional mother might not approve. Mario himself worried that his lifestyle and even the way he dressed could be a problem. However, as Lucielma got to know him better, her doubts faded away. She felt sure of what she wanted and boldly proposed to him, to which Mario happily said yes. When they finally met in person, any lingering uncertainty vanished. Their honeymoon in Trancoso, Bahia, confirmed their emotional and physical chemistry, which they both considered essential for a lasting relationship.
Lucielma and Mario transitioned to life in the real world, and much of their initial spark carried through as well. They delighted in shared adventures, from getting massages to taking helicopter rides, and savored every moment together. However, challenges soon emerged. Lucielma, being naturally confident and outspoken, openly expressed her love for Mario without hesitation. However, he admitted that his feelings weren’t as intense, but he was glad that the talk she had with his mother and sister went smoothly. When she gave him a heartfelt letter confessing her emotions, his only response was to call it “interesting,” which left her feeling deflated. While they bonded over shared interests like art, and he took her to his dance classes, they also faced significant cultural differences. Mario sometimes felt Lucielma dismissed his background, though she stated it may seem that way simply because it was unfamiliar to her.
There was a noticeable imbalance in the confidence each brought to the relationship. Lucielma was eager to begin their life together and even invited Mario to move into her home, but he was uncomfortable with the idea. As the wedding day approached, she joyfully picked out her wedding dress, only to have a change of heart on the wedding day. She decided not to go through with the ceremony and ran away, explaining that she knew Mario would not say “yes” and did not want to be humiliated in front of everyone. Mario later admitted that his answer would have been “no” as well, and felt her actions only confirmed that they were not right for each other. Lucielma later wrote him a letter, but Mario chose not to read it, bringing their journey on the season to an end.
Lucielma and Mario Are No Longer in a Romantic Relationship
Lucielma and Mario’s relationship, which had once appeared dreamy and picture-perfect, turned out to be far from ideal in reality. The two were completely different people, and the biggest issue was Mario’s inability to reciprocate the love and emotional investment Lucielma was giving him. In a later interview, Lucielma admitted that leaving him at the altar was painful and that she tried reaching out afterward to make amends. However, Mario refused to engage with her, ignoring her calls and eventually blocking her number. Determined to speak with him, she even tried calling from his daughters’ phones and contacting people close to him to reach him.
Mario saw these actions as intrusive and an invasion of his privacy, which only worsened the situation. Reflecting on it now, Lucielma acknowledges that her behavior was a mistake. She shared that she has worked hard to understand the emotions and insecurities that drove her to persistently contact someone who no longer wanted communication. She believes this experience helped her grow emotionally and taught her to process rejection in a healthier way. Since then, she has been focused on personal growth and learning to respect boundaries in relationships. The two of them are not in touch with one another and are focusing on their own lives.
Related
Lucielma and Mario Juggle Work While Taking Care of Their Respective Kids
Lucielma Cardeal is now thriving both personally and professionally. She works as a logistics technician. Her role involves coordinating the movement of goods, managing supply chains, and ensuring that products get where they need to be on time. It is a job that requires attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and the ability to manage multiple processes at once. Lucielma is also proud of her roots, frequently celebrating her Alagoana heritage and the traditions that shaped her upbringing. She currently lives in São Bernardo do Campo with her 14-year-old daughter, while her two older daughters are grown and well-settled in their own lives. Outside work, she enjoys relaxing in nature, which gives her peace.
Mario Alves has continued to stay close to his passions and community. He works as a Fighting Academy Administrator and helps manage programs, oversees training schedules, and supports fighters as they work toward their goals. He is also a skilled capoeirista and choreographer. Mario remains heavily involved in Carnival, contributing his creativity and energy to one of Brazil’s most iconic celebrations. A deeply spiritual person, he continues to follow his faith and integrate it into his lifestyle, which remains unconventional but authentic to who he is. With two daughters of his own, he prioritizes being present for them while balancing his professional and creative pursuits.
