 Although Lopes was born Gaucho (native resident of Rio Grande do Sul), "he was a stereotypical Carioca" (native resident of Rio de Janeiro), always smiling with a friendly disposition and knowing every corner of Rio.He was at ease hanging out with wealthy residents in Leblon or with those living in poor areas of the city or on the street, and in speaking street slang.Tim Lopes attended journalism school at the Faculdade Hélio Alonso (FACHA) in Rio de Janeiro and during his career wrote for the Rio newspapers "O Globo", "O Dia", and "Jornal do Brasil".