# 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
* Luís Pires, explorer of the sea route to Brazil
* 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
* 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
* Orlando da Costa, poet and playwright
* 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 (born 1935), 20th-century photographer
* 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)
* 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)

### 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
* 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

* Ana Rocha, professional wrestler
* António Jesus Correia (1924–2003)
* António Livramento (1944–1999), hockey player
* 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 Sousa, tennis player
* Moises Henriques, Australian cricketer from Portugal
* Nelson Évora, long jump Olympic and world champion
* 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 Costa (born 1961), Prime Minister
* 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 (born 1937)
* 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