Braga was born in Singapore to Joseph Vicente Braga and Bertha Asmus, an established Eurasian family from Macao. He completed his secondary education at St. Joseph's Institution, Singapore and St. Joseph's School in Hong Kong.[1]
Braga's father then sent him to Queen's College, University of Hong Kong, to study medicine. However, Braga preferred law and left the university to become a clerk to an articled lawyer in the British colony from 1918 to 1921.[1] He later went to London to study law and was called to the Bar in May 1927 and admitted to Middle Temple in 1927.[2]
Career
Law career
Braga later returned to Singapore, and from 1935 to 1942, Braga was the senior municipal commissioner, having served three terms.[3] After the war, Braga decided to commit himself to serving the people of Singapore and its independence.[4]
In 1957, allegations of corruption in Singapore hospitals were investigated, with Braga stating that "Hospital graft is being probed".[7] In 1958, Braga and his wife went to Tokyo.[8]
In 1959, Braga opened the new Toa Payoh Hospital, costing S$4.1 million.[9] Braga stated that he would not contest the Mountbatten Division in the 1959 general election because of ill-health.[10]
After the Pulau Senang riots, Braga was one of 9 lawyers representing the 59 Palau Senang prisoners.[11]
Personal life
In 1931, Braga married his first wife, Mona Patricia Braga.[12] In 1934, Braga was involved in a car accident at the junction of Orchard and Cairnhill roads. His car was turned over with him, his wife, and his syce, inside. Braga received a wound on his forehead.[13]
In 1948, Braga divorced his wife after she stated that he had allegedly participated in adultery. He argued back that Mona had also committed adultery with Naval Commander John Fry.[12] In 1949, Braga married his second wife, Amy Wong.[14]
