List of Portuguese people

The following is a list of notable and historically significant people from Portugal.

Navigators, explorers and pioneers

15th century

• Afonso Gonçalves Baldaia, explorer of the African coast
• Álvaro Caminha, explorer of the Atlantic islands
• Álvaro Martins, explorer of the African coast
• Alvise Cadamosto, explorer of the Atlantic islands and of the African coast
• André Gonçalves, explorer of the sea route to Brazil
• Antão Gonçalves, explorer of the African coast
• Álvaro Fernandes, explorer of the African coast
• Bartolomeu Dias, explorer of the African coast
• Bartolomeu Perestrelo, explorer of the Atlantic islands
• Dinis Dias, explorer of the African coast
• Diogo Cão, explorer of the African coast
• Diogo de Azambuja, explorer of the African coast
• Diogo de Teive, explorer of the Atlantic islands
• Diogo Dias, explorer of the Atlantic islands, of the African coast and the Indian Ocean, discovered Madagascar
• Diogo Silves, explorer of the Atlantic islands
• Duarte Pacheco Pereira, explorer of the Atlantic
• Fernão do Pó, explorer of the African coast
• Gil Eanes, explorer of the African coast
• Gonçalo Velho, explorer of the Atlantic islands
• João de Santarém, explorer of the Atlantic islands
• João Gonçalves Zarco, explorer of the Atlantic islands
• João Grego, explorer of the African coast
• João Infante, explorer of the African coast
• João Vaz Corte-Real, explorer of North America
• Lopes Gonçalves, explorer of the Atlantic
• Nicolau Coelho, explorer of the sea route to Brazil
• Nuno Tristão, explorer of the African coast
• Paulo da Gama, explorer of the sea route to India
• Pedro Álvares Cabral, discoverer of Brazil in 1500
• Pedro Escobar, explorer of the Atlantic islands
• Pero de Alenquer, explorer of the African coast
• Pero de Sintra, explorer of the African coast
• Pero Dias, explorer of the African coast
• Pero Vaz de Caminha, explorer of the sea route to Brazil
• Tristão Vaz Teixeira, explorer of the Atlantic islands
• Vasco da Gama, led the discovery of the sea route to India in 1498

15th/16th century

• Afonso de Paiva, diplomat and explorer in Ethiopia
• Fernão de Noronha, explorer of the Atlantic
• Gaspar de Lemos, explorer of the Atlantic and of the sea route to Brazil
• Gonçalo Coelho, explorer of the South American coast
• João Fernandes Lavrador, explorer of North America
• Pero da Covilhã, diplomat and explorer in Ethiopia and India
• Pero de Barcelos, explorer of North America
• Francisco Zeimoto, explorer and trader one of the first to reach Japan

16th century

• Afonso de Albuquerque, naval admiral and viceroy of India
• António de Abreu, explorer of Indonesia
• António Mota, among the first to reach Japan
• Bento de Góis, explorer
• Cristóvão Jacques, explorer of the Brazilian coast
• Cristóvão de Mendonça, some have claimed he discovered Australia; this is disputed
• Diogo Lopes de Sequeira, explorer of the Indian Ocean
• Diogo Rodrigues, explorer of the Indian Ocean
• Duarte Fernandes, diplomat in Thailand
• Estevão da Gama, explorer of the Indian Ocean
• Fernão Lopez, soldier in India and first resident of the island of Saint Helena
• Fernão Mendes Pinto, among the first to reach Japan
• Fernão Pires de Andrade, merchant in China
• Francisco Álvares, missionary and explorer in Ethiopia
• Francisco de Almeida, explorer and viceroy of India
• Gaspar Corte-Real, explorer of North America
• Gomes de Sequeira, some claim he discovered Australia; this is disputed
• João da Nova, explorer of the Atlantic and of the Indian Ocean
• Jorge Álvares, the first to reach China
• João Rodrigues Cabrilho, discoverer of California
• Lourenço Marques, trader and explorer in East Africa
• Martim Afonso de Sousa, explorer and soldier in India
• Miguel Corte-Real, explorer of North America
• Paulo Dias de Novais, colonizer of Africa
• Pedro Mascarenhas, explorer of the Indian Ocean
• Tristão da Cunha, naval general and discoverer
• Ferdinand Magellan, led the first successful attempt to circumnavigate the Earth (1519–1522); explorer of the Pacific Ocean

17th century

• Estêvão Cacella, missionary and explorer of Tibet, first European in Bhutan
• Baltasar Fernandes, explorer of Brazil's interior
• Jerónimo Lobo, missionary and explorer of Ethiopia
• Luís Vaz de Torres, 16th-century/17th-century explorer of south-west Pacific
• Pedro Fernandes de Queirós, 16th-century/17th-century explorer of south-west Pacific, some claim he discovered Australia
• Pedro Teixeira, explorer of the Amazon River
• António Raposo Tavares, bandeirante

18th century

• Alexandre Rodrigues Ferreira, explorer of Brazil's interior
• Francisco de Lacerda, explorer of Africa

19th century

• Alexandre de Serpa Pinto, explorer of Africa
• António da Silva Porto, explorer of Africa
• Hermenegildo Capelo, explorer of Africa
• Roberto Ivens, explorer of Africa

20th century

• Gago Coutinho and Sacadura Cabral, first to cross the South Atlantic Ocean by air

Monarchs

• Monarchs of Portugal

Saints

• Amador of Portugal (Early Christianity)
• Anthony of Lisbon (1195–1231)
• Beatrice of Silva (1424–1490)
• Elizabeth of Portugal (1271–1336)
• Felix the Hermit (9th century)
• Francisco Marto (1908–1919)
• Fructuosus of Braga (7th century)
• Irene of Tomar (7th century)
• Jacinta Marto (1910–1920)
• John de Brito (1647–1693)
• John of God (1495–1550)
• Julia (3rd century)
• Mantius of Évora (Early Christianity)
• Martin of Braga (520–580)
• Maxima (3rd century)
• Nuno Álvares Pereira (1360–1431)
• Peter of Rates (1st century)
• Quiteria (5th century)
• Rita Amada de Jesus (1848–1913)
• Rudesind (10th century)
• Saint Ovidius (1st and 2nd centuries)
• Theotonius (1088–1166)
• Verissimus (3rd century)
• Wilgefortis (folk saint)

Blessed

• Alexandrina of Balasar (1904–1955)
• Amadeus of Portugal (1420–1482)
• Bartolomeu dos Mártires (1514–1590)
• Ferdinand the Holy Prince (1402–1443)
• Inácio de Azevedo (1528–1570)
• Joan, Princess of Portugal (1452–1490)
• Mafalda of Portugal (1190–1256)
• Sancha of Portugal (1180–1229)
• Teresa of Portugal (1181–1250)
• Elizabeth of Portugal (1282–1325)

Religious

• António de Andrade (1580–1634), missionary, explorer of Tibet
• António Vieira (1608–1697), writer, diplomat and preacher
• João Ferreira Annes de Almeida (1628–1691), missionary
• Luís Fróis, jesuit and missionary in Japan
• Paulo António de Carvalho e Mendonça (1702–1770), priest and cardinal, Inquisitor-General of the Holy Inquisition
• Lúcia de Jesus dos Santos (1907–2005), visionary, involved in the 1917 Fátima events
• Paulus Orosius (385–420), historian, theologian and disciple of St. Augustine

Popes

• Damasus I, 4th-century pope
• John XXI, 13th-century pope

Philosophers

• Agostinho da Silva (1906–1996)
• António Castanheira Neves (born 1929)
• António Sérgio (1883–1969)
• Damião de Góis (1502–1574)
• Eduardo Lourenço (1923–2020)
• José Gil (born 1939)

Musicians

• Adriano Correia de Oliveira (1942–1982), singer
• Alfredo Keil (1850–1907), composer of the Portuguese anthem
• Ana Free, singer
• Ana Moura (born 1979), singer, fadista
• António Zambujo (born 1975), singer, fadista
• Alfredo Marceneiro (1891–1982), fado singer
• Amália Rodrigues (1920–1999), the most famous fado singer
• António Fragoso (1897–1918), piano composer
• António Pinho Vargas (born 1951), classical, jazz and piano composer
• António Variações (1944–1984), singer-songwriter
• Aurea, singer
• Camané (born 1967), singer, fadista
• Carlos do Carmo (1939–2021), singer, fadista
• Carlos Paredes (1925–2004), Portuguese guitar player
• Carlos Seixas (1704–1742), composer
• Cristina Branco (born 1972), fado singer
• Danny Fernandes, singer
• David Fonseca (born 1973), singer
• Diogo Piçarra, singer
• DJ Vibe, DJ
• Duarte Lobo (1565–1646), composer
• Dulce Pontes (born 1969), singer
• Fernando Lopes Graça (1906–1995), composer
• Fernando Ribeiro (born 1974), Moonspell vocals
• Francisco d'Andrade (1856–1921), international opera baritone
• Guilhermina Suggia (1885–1950), cellist
• Isabel Soveral (born 1961), composer
• Jay Kay (born 1969), singer; Portuguese father
• João Domingos Bomtempo (1775–1842), composer
• Joaquim José Antunes (1725–1790), harpsichord maker
• Jorge Palma (born 1950), singer, pianist and songwriter
• José Afonso (1929–1987), aka Zeca Afonso, composer, player
• Luciana Abreu (born 1985), singer, composer, actress, TV host
• Lúcia Moniz (born 1976), singer, actress
• Luís de Freitas Branco (1890–1955), composer
• Luísa Todi (1753–1833), lyrical singer
• Mafalda Arnauth (born 1974), fado singer
• Malvina Garrigues (1825–1904), opera soprano
• Manuela Azevedo, singer
• Maria Ascensão (1926–2001), folklorist
• Maria João Pires (born 1944), piano player
• Maria João (born 1956), jazz singer
• Mário Laginha (born 1960), piano player
• Mariza (born 1973), fado singer
• Mísia, fado singer
• Nelly Furtado, singer
• Nuno Bettencourt (born 1966), guitarist, singer-songwriter
• Paulo Furtado, blues performer
• Pedro de Escobar (c. 1465 – 1535), composer
• Rita Guerra (born 1967), singer
• Rita Redshoes, singer
• Rui da Silva, disc jockey
• Rui Gomes de Briteiros (1190? - 1249), troubadour
• Rui Veloso (born 1957), singer
• Salvador Sobral (born 1989), singer
• Sara Tavares (born 1978), singer
• Shawn Desman, singer
• Shawn Mendes, singer
• Sérgio Godinho (born 1948), singer
• Steve Perry, lead singer of band Journey
• Teresa Salgueiro (born 1969), Madredeus vocals
• José Vianna da Motta (1868–1948), piano player, composer
• Vitorino (born 1942), singer

Writers

Fictionists

• Agustina Bessa-Luís
• Alexandre Herculano
• Almeida Garrett, also a poet and playwright
• Alves Redol, neo-realist writer
• António Lobo Antunes
• Aquilino Ribeiro, neo-realist writer
• Bernardim Ribeiro
• Camilo Castelo Branco
• Carlos de Oliveira
• Eça de Queiroz
• Gonçalo M. Tavares
• Hélia Correia
• Inês Pedrosa
• Irene Lisboa (1892–1958)
• João Aguiar, writer
• José Cardoso Pires
• José Rodrigues Miguéis (1901–1980), writer
• José Saramago, Nobel Prize for Literature in 1998
• Júlio Dinis
• Mário de Sá-Carneiro, novelist and poet
• Miguel Torga, also a poet
• Ramalho Ortigão
• Raul Brandão (1867–1930)
• Soeiro Pereira Gomes, neo-realist writer
• Vergílio Ferreira
• Vitorino Nemésio

Poets

• Ana Luísa Amaral
• Antero de Quental
• António Nobre
• Camilo Pessanha
• Cesário Verde
• David Mourão-Ferreira
• Eugénio de Andrade
• Fernando Pessoa, poet writer philosopher, described as one of the most significant literary figures of the 20th century
• Fiama Hasse Pais Brandão, poet and writer
• Guerra Junqueiro, poet and writer
• Herberto Hélder
• Jorge de Sena, writer and poet
• José Gomes Ferreira, writer
• Luís Vaz de Camões, poet, playwright
• Manuel Alegre, poet, writer and politician
• Manuel Maria Barbosa du Bocage
• Sá de Miranda
• Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen
• Teixeira de Pascoaes
• Vasco Graça Moura

Others

• Agostinho da Silva, writer and philosopher
• Alice Vieira, children's books writer
• Almada Negreiros
• Álvaro Cunhal, neo-realist writer
• Álvaro Magalhães, writer
• Ana de Castro Osório, writer and pioneer feminist
• André de Resende, writer
• António Ferreira (poet)
• António José da Silva, playwright
• António Vieira (1608–1697), preacher and writer
• Damião de Góis, writer
• Eduardo Lourenço
• Fernão Lopes (c. 1380–1458), royal chronicler
• Gil Vicente, playwright
• Gomes Eanes de Zurara, chronicler
• João de Barros, writer and historian
• Luiz Pacheco (1925–2008), writer and editor
• Natália Correia, writer and poet
• Raul Proença (1884–1941), writer
• Rosa Lobato Faria, writer
• Rui de Pina, chronicler
• Tomé Pires (1465–1540), author of the Suma Oriental
• Urbano Tavares Rodrigues, writer and journalist

Artists

• Sofia Areal, painter
• Almada Negreiros (1893–1970), 20th-century painter
• Amadeo de Souza Cardoso (1887–1918), 20th-century painter
• Ana Dias (born 1984), photographer of erotic femininity
• António Soares dos Reis (1847–1889), 19th-century sculptor
• Aurélia de Souza (1865–1922), 19th/20th-century painter
• Columbano Bordalo Pinheiro (1857–1929), 19th/20th-century painter
• Eduardo Gageiro (1935–2025), 20th-century photographer and photojournalist
• Fernando Lanhas (1923–2012), 20th/21st-century painter and architect
• Filipe Alarcão (born 1963), urban and modern contemporary designer
• Helena Corrêa de Barros (1910–2000), 20th-century photographer
• João M. P. Lemos, cartoonist
• José Dias Coelho (1923–1961), 20th-century artist
• José Malhoa, 19th-century painter
• Joshua Benoliel (1873–1932), 19th/20th-century photographer
• Júlio Pomar (1926–2018), 20th-century painter
• Marco Mendes (born 1978), comic artist
• Manuel Pereira da Silva (1920–2003), 20th-century sculptor
• Nadir Afonso (1920–2013), geometric abstract painter
• Nuno Gonçalves, 15th-century painter
• Paula Rego, 20th-century painter
• Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro, 19th-century caricaturist
• Raquel Gameiro (1889–1970), painter and illustrator
• Vasco Fernandes (Grão Vasco), 15th-century painter
• Vieira da Silva, 20th-century painter

Scientists

• Abel Salazar (1889–1946)
• Alexandre Quintanilha (born 1945)
• André de Resende (c. 1500 – 1573)
• António A. de Freitas (born 1947), immunologist
• António Damásio (born 1944), neurologist
• Bartolomeu de Gusmão (1685–1724), inventor
• Bento de Jesus Caraça (1901–1948), mathematician
• Diogo Abreu (born 1947), geographer
• Egas Moniz (1874–1955), neurologist and Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1949
• Freitas-Magalhães (born 1966), psychologist
• Garcia de Orta (c. 1499 – 1568), botanical scientist
• Hanna Damásio (born 1942), neurologist
• Jacob de Castro Sarmento (c. 1691 – 1762)
• João de Pina-Cabral (born 1954), anthropologist
• João Magueijo (born 1967), physicist
• Miguel Vale de Almeida (born 1960), anthropologist
• Benedita Barata da Rocha (1949–2021), immunologist
• Orlando Ribeiro (1911–1997), geographer
• Pedro Nunes (1502–1578), mathematician and cosmographer
• Raquel Seruca (1962–2022), oncobiologist
• Sousa Martins (1843–1897)
• Tomé Pires (c. 1465–c. 1540)

Engineers and architects

• Álvaro Siza Vieira (born 1933), architect
• João Luís Carrilho da Graça, architect
• Edgar Cardoso (1913–2000), engineer
• Nuno Montenegro (born 1970), architect
• Eduardo Souto de Moura, architect
• Fernando Távora (1923–2005), architect
• José Tribolet, engineer, IST professor
• Tomás Taveira (born 1938), architect
• António Maria Braga, architect

Psychiatrists

• João dos Santos

Actors and directors

Actors

• Alexandra Lencastre (born 1965)
• Ana Rita Machado (born 1991)
• António Silva
• Beatriz Batarda
• Beatriz Costa
• Carmen Miranda (1909–1955), singer and actress
• Daniela Melchior
• Daniela Ruah
• Diogo Infante
• Diogo Morgado
• Eunice Muñoz (1928–2022)
• Fernando Rocha (born 1975), comedian, actor
• Francisco Ribeiro (1911–1984), actor, comedian, film director, theatre director
• Herman José (born 1954), actor and humourist
• João Villaret (1913–1961), actor and poetry reader
• Joaquim de Almeida (born 1957)
• Louis Ferreira
• Maria de Medeiros
• Maria Matos (1890–1952)
• Nicolau Breyner
• Nuno Lopes (born 1978)
• Raul Solnado, actor and humourist
• Teresa Aço, actor
• Vasco Santana (1898–1958)
• Vivian dsena, actor and model

Directors

• António Lopes Ribeiro (1908–1995)
• Constantino Esteves
• Diana Andringa
• João César Monteiro (1939–2003)
• João Pedro Rodrigues
• Luís Miguel Cintra (born 1948)
• Manoel de Oliveira (1908–2015)
• Marco Martins (born 1972)
• Miguel Gomes
• Pedro Costa
• Rita Azevedo Gomes
• Vasco Nunes (1974–2016), director, cinematographer, producer

Others

• Vera Mantero (born 1966), dancer and choreographer

Soldiers

• Álvaro Vaz de Almada (count of Avranches) (1390–1449), knight of the Garter, Captain-major of Portugal, killed in battle
• Fernando de Almada (count of Avranches) (1430–1496), Captain-major of Portugal
• Otelo Saraiva de Carvalho (1936–2021), chief strategist of the Carnation Revolution of Portugal
• Aníbal Augusto Milhais (1895–1970), most decorated soldier Ordem de Torre e Espada do Valor, Lealdade e Mérito of Portugal
• Salgueiro Maia (1944–1992), Captain who led a cavalry unit into Lisbon during the Carnation Revolution of Portugal

Sports

Football

• Bernardo Silva (born 1994) football player
• Carlos Queiroz, football coach
• Costinha (born 1974), football player
• Cristiano Ronaldo (born 1985), football player
• Dinis Vital (1932–2014), football player
• Diogo Jota (1996–2025), football player
• Eusébio (1942–2014), football player, born in Portuguese Mozambique; later moved to Portugal
• Francisco Conceiçao (born 2002), football player
• Hugo Almeida (born 1984), football player
• José Mourinho, football coach
• João Cancelo, football player
• João Félix, football player
• João Moutinho, football player
• Luís Figo (born 1972), football player
• Luís Miguel Afonso Fernandes, football player
• Maniche (born 1977), football player
• Matheus Nunes (born 1998) football player
• Nani, football player
• Nuno Gomes, football player
• Pauleta, football player
• Paulo Ferreira, football player
• Paulo Futre, former football player
• Paulo Sousa, former football player
• Pereira Da Silva, football player
• Ricardo Carvalho, football player
• Ricardo Pereira, football player
• Ricardo Quaresma (born 1983), football player
• Ricardo Sá Pinto, football player
• Rúben Dias (born 1997) football player
• Rui Costa (born 1972), football player
• Simão Sabrosa (born 1979), football player
• Vítor Baía (born 1969), football player

Others

• António Jesus Correia (1924–2003)
• António Livramento (1944–1999), hockey player
• Rui Madeira, rally driver
• Carlos Lopes (born 1947), marathon Olympic champion
• Carlos Sousa, off-road driver, world champion in 2003
• Fernanda Ribeiro (born 1969), 10,000m Olympic champion
• Francis Obikwelu, Nigerian-born runner
• Gustavo Ribeiro (born 2001), skateboarder
• Joaquim Agostinho, cyclist
• José Azevedo, cyclist
• João Garcia, mountaineer
• João Sousa, tennis player
• Moises Henriques, Australian cricketer from Portugal
• Pedro Lamy, former Formula One and DTM driver
• Rosa Mota (born 1958), marathon Olympic champion
• Rui Costa, cycling world champion
• Telma Monteiro, four times judo silver medalist at world championships
• Tiago Monteiro, former Champ Car and Formula One driver
• Ticha Penicheiro, WNBA player
• Vanessa Fernandes, triathlon world champion

Politicians

• Afonso Costa (1871–1937), Prime Minister during the First Republic
• Alberto João Jardim (born 1943), President of Regional Government of the Madeira Autonomous Region for 37 years
• Álvaro Cunhal (1913–2005), former General Secretary of the Portuguese Communist Party
• Aníbal Cavaco Silva, Prime Minister and President of the Republic
• Anton de Vieira (1682–1745), governor of St Petersburg and Okhotsk
• António de Oliveira Salazar (1889–1970), head of government and de facto leader of the Estado Novo dictatorial regime for 36 years
• António Guterres, Prime Minister, Secretary-General of the United Nations, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and President of the Socialist International
• António Vitorino, Minister, judge of the Constitutional Court, EU Commissioner and Director General of the International Organization for Migration
• Bento Gonçalves (1902–1942), General Secretary of the Portuguese Communist Party
• Carlos Alberto da Mota Pinto (1936–1985), Prime Minister
• Carlos Carvalhas (born 1941), General Secretary of the Portuguese Communist Party
• Diogo Freitas do Amaral, President of the General Assembly of the United Nations and Minister of Foreign Affairs
• Duarte Pio, Duke of Bragança, claimant to the abolished throne of Portugal
• Francisco Sá Carneiro (1934–1980), Prime Minister
• Jaime Ornelas Camacho (1921–2016), first President of the Regional Government of Madeira
• Jerónimo de Sousa (born 1947), General Secretary of the Portuguese Communist Party
• Jorge Sampaio, President of the Republic and Mayor of Lisbon
• José Manuel Barroso, Prime Minister and President of the European Commission
• José Sócrates, Prime Minister
• Manuel Pinho (born 1954), Minister of the Economy and Innovation
• Marcelo Caetano (1906–1980), last head of government of the Estado Novo dictatorial regime, from 1968 to 1974
• Mário Soares (1924–2017), Prime Minister and President of the Republic
• Octávio Pato (1925–1999)
• Pedro Santana Lopes, Prime Minister and Mayor of Lisbon
• Teresa Heinz Kerry, philanthropist and wife of US Senator John Kerry
• Vasco Gonçalves (1922–2005), Prime Minister
• Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo, 1st Marquis of Pombal (1699–1782), statesman

Historians

• Diogo do Couto (1542–1616), historian of India and Sri Lanka
• José Hermano Saraiva (1919–2012)
• Rui Nepomuceno (1936-2024), lawyer and historian of Madeira

Businesspeople

• Américo Amorim (1934–2017)
• Belmiro de Azevedo (1938–2017)
• Francisco Pinto Balsemão (1937–2025)
• Joe Berardo (born 1944)
• Salvador Caetano (1926–2011)
• António Champalimaud (1918–2004)
• Antonia Ferreira (1811–1896), winemaker

Other

• Catarina de Albuquerque (born 1970), UN Special Rapporteur
• Mariana Alcoforado (1624–1723), nun and writer
• Rita Almeida (born 1974), World Bank economist
• Jorge de Cabedo (1525–1604), jurist
• Catarina Eufémia (1928–1954), assassinated rural worker
• Abraham Aboab Falero, 17th century Jewish philanthropist
• Aires de Ornelas e Vasconcelos (1837–1880), 19th-century archbishop of the Portuguese colonial enclave Goa
• Deu-la-Deu Martins 14th century hero
• Fernando Pessa (1902–2002), journalist
• Sara Sampaio (born 1991), model
• Eliza Brown Newton Smart (1844–1930), missionary and reformer

See also

• List of Portuguese monarchs
• Presidents of Portugal
• List of prime ministers of Portugal
• List of mayors of Lisbon

References