For my last birthday, I was given an adufe by my Portuguese friends. And what, you may ask, is an adufe? I asked myself the same question as soon as I unwrapped my gift and played with it for the first time. The adufe, a square frame drum with Moorish origins that is traditionally played by women, is not nearly as famous as its more famous Portuguese cousin – the fado – but we think it should be! Let’s explore the rich history, construction, and evolving role of this fascinating instrument in Portuguese musical heritage.

Origins and Historical Context

The adufe is a traditional square tambourine-like drum of Moorish origin, which is used in Portugal, Galicia, and other regions of Spain. Its history goes back centuries, and its name derives from the Arabic “al-duff.” In fact, historical representations of square drums appear in diverse range of sources – from ancient Egyptian tombs to medieval Iberian church porticoes, tiles, paintings, and sculptures. This extensive documentation clearly demonstrates that the adufe’s deep cultural roots across the Mediterranean region.

Please note that the Portuguese adufe should not be confused with similar instruments like the pandeiro mirandês from northeastern Portugal or various Spanish panderos (such as the pandero cuadrado de Peñaparda or Asturian, Galician, and Catalan square frame drums). In some border villages like Malpica do Tejo or Monforte da Beira, the instrument is locally called pandeiro or pindeiro.

Construction and Design

The adufe is a square or rectangular frame drum usually made of pine and completely handmade, over which is a goat’s skin is mounted. The size of the frame usually ranges from 12 to 22 inches on each side, and it is 1 to 2 inches thick. The skin is stitched on the sides, and the stitches are covered by a colored ribbon. In the interior, small seeds or stones, metal pieces, or rattles are placed to make pleasing sounds. Modern artisans have even adapted by using beer bottle caps as jingles. 

Performance Tradition

The adufe holds a special place in Portuguese culture as primarily a women’s instrument. Groups of female performers known as “Adufeiras” create music by simultaneously singing, dancing, and drumming in unison. This tradition remains particularly active in communities like Idanha-a-Nova and Paúl (Covilhã). Older women pass down songs and drumming techniques there to younger generations.

While predominantly a female tradition, some men are “allowed” to participate in these musical gatherings. The performances frequently accompany Catholic festivities including Marian feasts and celebrations of saints like St. John and St. Peter.

Musical Characteristics

The adufe repertoire, known as “cantigas de adufe,” typically follows either binary patterns called “de passo” (meaning “to walk”) or ternary patterns called “de roda” (meaning “to dance in circle”). These rhythmic patterns repeat throughout each song without variation. However, subtle differences exist between villages in lyrics, rhythmic nuances, and ornamentation.

Performance dynamics include a group leader, usually the most skilled singer/drummer, who initiates and concludes songs. There are subtle tempo variations that typically accelerate during choruses and decelerate before strophes. Groups use natural, comfortable pitching based on collective experience rather than absolute pitch references. Regional variations make inter-village collaboration challenging, as performers from different communities often play and sing with distinct styles.

Where Can You See an Adufe Performance?

For those interested in experiencing the adufe firsthand, we found two upcoming performances that showcase this traditional instrument in Lisbon:

A Cantadeira at Teatro Taborda

• When: Friday, May 2, 2025, Doors open: 8:50 PM, Show starts: 9:00 PM
• Teatro Taborda (Teatro da Garagem), Costa do Castelo 75, Lisboa
• Featuring: Joana Negrão, a singer-songwriter who draws from oral tradition. The performance includes voice recorded in real time, adufe, and bagpipes. This performance celebrates her 2024 album “Tecelã” which earned her an invitation to the 2025 Song Festival

WNMD 2025 · Concert No. 1 · Traditional Portuguese Instruments

• When: Friday, May 30, 2025, 7:00-7:45 PM
• Where: Centro Cultural de Belém – Átrio do Grande Auditório, Lisboa, Portugal
• Featuring: “Timeless Music / Música Sem Tempo”, Rui Silva (adufe), Bruno Gabirro (adufe & electronics), Miguel Amaral (Portuguese guitar), Joana Negrão and Ana Paula Rodrigues (cantadeiras)

Preservation and Evolution

Several key moments have contributed to the adufe’s continued relevance in modern Portugal. José Afonso’s 1968 recording “Cantares do Andarilho,” featured his version of “Senhora do Almurtão.” Ricardo Pais’s 1997 theater piece “Raízes Rurais, Paixões Urbanas,” launched the now-prominent Adufeiras de Monsanto group. José Salgueiro’s oversized “adufões” (giant adufes) were featured at Expo 98 in Lisbon. The establishment of the Traditional Arts and Crafts Workshop by the Idanha-a-Nova Municipality in 2007 and the adoption of the adufe as the official symbol of the Idanha-a-Nova Municipality further cemented its cultural importance.

Dedicated artisans like José Relvas, Armando Vinagre, Fátima Silva, Francisco Camelo, Maria José Caroço, and Maria do Almortão continue practicing traditional instrument-making craftsmanship, which ensure that these techniques survive for future generations. You can even find adufe-making workshops in Lisbon and Porto! 

Contemporary Innovations

Since 2010, percussionists and artisans have been developing the adufe as a professional percussion instrument by introducing innovations such as tuning systems, which were previously nonexistent in traditional adufes. They’ve created dual-sided designs with different tonal qualities, ergonomic frames with uneven thicknesses for improved handling, and structured learning methods using simple syllables (Dum, Tá, Ki) to teach rhythmic patterns.

The adufe is becoming increasingly popular in larger Portuguese cities through a diverse array of musical projects. Groups like Segue-me à Capela, NEFUP, GEFAC, Crua, Sebastião Antunes & Adufe em Lisboa, and many others incorporate the adufe into both traditional and newly composed music.

The instrument has even entered experimental realms through projects like “Aduf&lectrónica” and contemporary classical compositions such as Angela Ponte’s 2019 piece “Ensaios Sobre Cantos IV” for adufe and electronics.

Conclusion

The adufe represents a fascinating example of how traditional instruments can remain culturally relevant by honoring their history while also continuing to innovate and introduce them to younger audiences. After seeing the adufe performed live by a remarkable group of women in the heart of Lisbon, I can safely say that its popularity with international audiences will continue to grow. Once you’ve been introduced to the adufe, you will never forget it. 

The history between Portugal and Mozambique is a dense narrative, crossed by conquest, slavery, administration, rebellion, war, and reunion. Contrary to more linear narratives, the Portuguese-Mozambican relationship was never simply one of metropolis and colony. It was a relationship forged in fire and maintained by mutual survival. A story with an uncertain beginning, a bloody middle, and a timid present, but full of echoes of the past.

First Contacts and Coastal Domination

Portugal arrived on the coast of Mozambique in 1498 with Vasco da Gama, during his first voyage to India. The Portuguese quickly realized that Mozambique was strategic: it was the ideal base between Europe and the spices of the Orient. They began to build fortresses and trading posts along the coast, such as in Sofala, Ilha de Moçambique, and Quelimane. Their presence was initially commercial and military.

The Muslim sultanates on the coast resisted. But the Portuguese came with weapons and treaties. They subjected the local elites to their control. Through “prazos” on the Seine, they granted vast tracts of land to Portuguese and Portuguese-descended settlers, who began to rule as quasi-feudal lords, exercising military and economic power over entire populations in the interior.

Slavery, Empire, and Structural Violence

Between the 16th and 19th centuries, Mozambique became an important source of enslaved people for Brazil and the Indian Ocean islands. Millions of Africans were captured or bought with goods and then sold into forced labor. The Portuguese colonial economy was based on this network of suffering and profit.

Inland, the “prazos” become small, semi-autonomous empires. Families of Portuguese origin dominate vast areas, impose forced labor, create private armies, and resist the authority of the Crown itself. At various times, the government in Lisbon tries to impose order, but it has neither the means nor the interest for real control.

Late Colonialism and Territorial Consolidation

In the 19th century, with the Berlin Conference (1884-85) and the “sharing of Africa” between the European powers, Portugal needed to prove that it had sovereignty over Mozambique. The “effective occupation” began. Portuguese troops penetrated the interior, conquering territories, defeating local chiefs and imposing direct administration.

But Portugal doesn’t have the capacity to colonize Mozambique like the other colonial powers. It gave large concessions to foreign companies: Companhia de Moçambique, Companhia do Niassa and others. These companies brutally exploit the resources and the local population. Economic exploitation and the denial of rights are structural.

Popular Resistance and Living Culture

Despite the repression, resistance never ceases. Local chiefs, peasant communities, Mozambican mothers, and fathers defy colonial power in direct or subtle ways: by hiding crops, fleeing to uncontrolled areas, and preserving languages and traditions.

Meanwhile, the first Mozambicans educated in the colonial system began to question domination. Figures like Eduardo Mondlane and Samora Machel took shape in the following decades. A national consciousness began to emerge.

The Colonial War and the Struggle for Independence

In 1964, Mozambique’s liberation war began. FRELIMO, led by Eduardo Mondlane (and later Samora Machel), launched a guerrilla campaign against the Portuguese army. The war lasted ten years.

Portugal, under the dictatorship of Salazar and then Caetano, invested everything to keep Mozambique. But the cost was enormous: thousands of deaths, a collapsed economy, and youth with no future.

The Carnation Revolution on April 25, 1974, changed everything. The new Portuguese government agreed to negotiate with the liberation movements. On June 25, 1975, Mozambique became independent.

The Post-Independence Period

With independence, FRELIMO took power and proclaimed a Marxist-Leninist state. Portugal, still in democratic transition, maintained ambiguous relations. Many Portuguese left Mozambique, leaving behind property, businesses, and memories.

In the 1980s, Mozambique was plunged into a bloody civil war between FRELIMO and RENAMO, a group financed by external forces (such as apartheid South Africa and the USA). The war lasted until 1992 and devastated the country. Portugal tried to mediate and offered humanitarian aid, maintaining diplomatic relations with both factions, but with caution.

Cooperation, Emigration, and Reunion

With the end of the civil war and the opening up of the market, Mozambique began a new phase of reconstruction. Portugal returned as an economic, cultural, and political partner. Many Portuguese companies began investing in Mozambique. The common language facilitated collaboration. Mozambican students came to study in Portugal, and the Portuguese went to work in Maputo.

Today, Mozambican communities are growing in Lisbon and other cities. A new urban Lusophony is emerging, marked by cultural mixing, social challenges, and constant exchange.

Places in Lisbon Where Mozambique Lives

Largo de S. Domingos

Next to Rossio, this square has become a meeting point for Africans in Lisbon. The Mozambican presence can be felt in the faces, accents, food stalls, and beauty salons.

Orient Museum

With collections linked to the Portuguese presence in Africa and Asia, the museum offers exhibitions and activities dealing with colonial history, including that of Mozambique.

Afro-Portuguese Cultural Associations

Venues such as Cantinho do Aziz, Casa Reunião, Djass, and Khapassa promote events, debates, music and Mozambican cuisine in Lisbon, keeping alive the memory and the present of the relationship between the two countries.

Final Thoughts

Portugal and Mozambique have a history of long shadows and uncertain lights. The relationship has been marked by domination, rebellion, war, and estrangement but also by reunion, collaboration, and interdependence.

At a time when the world is rethinking its colonial past, Luso-Mozambican history is a lesson in how people resist, adapt, and carry on. You can’t erase the past. But you can build a fairer present, and who knows, a truly common future.

Hold onto your pastel de nata because you’re about to discover how one incredible Iberian nation changed the world forever. Portugal, Europe’s unsung hero of innovation and genius, revolutionized the world with mind-blowing inventions and innovations that continue to shape our lives today. While overlooked in many history books, the brilliant minds of Portugal have gifted humanity with technological marvels that deserve more recognition. Get ready for a countdown of the ten most spectacular Portuguese inventions ranging from impressive to absolutely world-changing!

10. Pre-Paid Postage System (1880)

Britain’s Penny Black is often cited as the world’s first postage stamp, but Portugal also made a crucial innovation in postal services. In 1880, José da Silva Passos helped implement Portugal’s “penny post” system that standardized postal rates across the country.

What made the Portuguese system particularly innovative was the comprehensive approach to pre-payment and the introduction of standardized postal rates regardless of distance within the country. This system helped democratize communication by making it affordable for ordinary citizens, but this ranks lowest on our list due to similar systems being developed in other countries around the same time.

9. Tempura (16th Century)

While many might associate tempura with Japanese cuisine, this cooking technique actually has Portuguese origins! In the 16th century, Portuguese Jesuit missionaries introduced the concept of batter-frying food to Japan.

The word “tempura” likely derives from the Portuguese word “tempero” (seasoning) or “tempora” (times), which refers to the Ember Days when Catholics abstained from meat. During these periods, Portuguese often ate battered and fried fish instead.

The Japanese adapted and perfected this cooking method over centuries and eventually made it distinctly their own. Today, tempura remains a delicious symbol of the cultural exchange between Portugal and Japan during the Age of Discovery. Although it is culturally significant, its technological impact was limited compared to other entries on this list.

8. The Electronic Toll Collection System (Via Verde, 1991)

In the modern era, Portugal pioneered one of the world’s first nationwide electronic toll collection systems. Via Verde(Green Way), introduced in 1991, allowed vehicles equipped with a small electronic transponder to pass through toll booths without stopping.

This system, developed by Brisa (Portugal’s main highway operator) in partnership with Portuguese engineers, significantly reduced traffic congestion and improved efficiency on the country’s highways. Via Verde was one of the earliest successful implementations of RFID technology for transit applications and served as a model for similar systems worldwide.

7. The Submarine Escapecraft (1829)

Alexandre Bettencourt and Miguel Oliveira, officers in the Portuguese Navy, designed one of the world’s first submarine escape mechanisms in 1829. This innovation consisted of a detachable compartment that could float to the surface in case of emergency.

While primitive by modern standards, this safety mechanism represented a significant step forward in submarine safety design and influenced later developments in naval technology. The concept of using flotation to rescue submariners in distress remains fundamental to modern submarine rescue systems. Its life-saving potential earns it a solid middle ranking.

6. The Passarola (1709)

Long before the Wright brothers took flight, Portuguese inventor Bartolomeu de Gusmão designed the Passarola, one of history’s first airship designs. In 1709, Gusmão demonstrated a small-scale prototype that rose briefly into the air before the Portuguese royal court and King João V.

The Passarola (Portuguese for “big bird”) was envisioned as a flying boat lifted by hot air balloons. Although Gusmão never successfully built a full-scale working version, his designs and demonstrations represent one of the earliest serious attempts at human flight. His work preceded the Montgolfier brothers’ successful hot air balloon by nearly 75 years and served as a visionary early concept in aviation history.

5. The Portuguese Method of Sugar Refining (15th-16th Centuries)

Portuguese innovations in sugar production revolutionized global agriculture and commerce. After bringing sugar cane cultivation to Madeira, the Azores, and later Brazil, Portuguese producers developed more efficient methods of refining sugar, ultimately creating what became known as “white gold.”

The Portuguese vertical roller mill for crushing sugar cane improved efficiency dramatically. This technology, along with other refining techniques, allowed for large-scale sugar production that eventually transformed global dietary habits and created new economic systems.

Unfortunately, this also contributed to the expansion of slavery as plantations required enormous amounts of labor. Nevertheless, the technical innovations in sugar production represent a significant Portuguese contribution to agricultural technology that had profound economic impacts on a global scale.

4. Codex Rotundus (1428)

The Codex Rotundus, created in 1428, was a revolutionary nautical chart system developed by Portuguese navigators. These detailed charts contained compass roses, rhumb lines, and scale indicators that made long-distance navigation much more reliable. The Portuguese cartographic school, centered at Sagres under the patronage of Prince Henry the Navigator, systematically collected and recorded geographical information from returning explorers.

This scientific approach to mapmaking represented a major intellectual achievement that facilitated global exploration and the accurate recording of new discoveries. The methodical approach to cartography fundamentally changed how humans understood and documented the world.

3. The Nonius (1542)

Pedro Nunes, a Portuguese mathematician and cosmographer, invented the nonius in 1542. This precision measuring device was a forerunner to the vernier scale and allowed for much more accurate angle measurements than previous instruments.

The nonius consisted of a series of concentric circles divided into different numbers of equal parts. By aligning these circles properly, navigators could achieve measurement precision far beyond what was previously possible. This invention was particularly valuable for astronomical observations and maritime navigation.

The principles behind Nunes’ nonius were later refined by French mathematician Pierre Vernier into the vernier scale, which is still used in some precision measuring instruments today. The dramatic improvement in measurement accuracy it provided earns it a high ranking for its scientific impact.

2. The Mariner’s Astrolabe (16th Century)

The astrolabe itself originated in ancient Greece. However, Portuguese navigators and astronomers perfected the mariner’s astrolabe in the early 16th century. This simplified, robust version of the traditional astronomical astrolabe was specifically designed for use at sea.

The Portuguese mariner’s astrolabe consisted of a metal disc with a movable alidade (sighting rule) and was used to determine latitude by measuring the angle of the sun or stars above the horizon. This allowed navigators to determine their position with reasonable accuracy, which represented a crucial advancement that made long ocean voyages possible.

João de Lisboa and Pedro Nunes were among the Portuguese scholars who refined nautical navigation techniques and instruments during this era. Their work with the mariner’s astrolabe laid the groundwork for modern celestial navigation and was essential to Portugal’s maritime dominance.

1. The Caravel Ship (15th Century)

The most significant Portuguese invention was undoubtedly the development of the caravel, a small, highly maneuverable sailing ship that revolutionized maritime exploration. Developed in the 15th century, the caravel combined European and Arab shipbuilding techniques into a vessel uniquely suited for ocean exploration. Its innovative features included:

• Lateen (triangular) sails that allowed sailing closer to the wind
• A slender hull with a length-to-breadth ratio of about 3:1
• Shallow draft that permitted coastal exploration
• Capacity for storing provisions for long voyages

The caravel enabled Portuguese explorers like Bartolomeu Dias and Vasco da Gama to navigate around Africa and eventually reach India. Without this innovation, the Age of Discovery might have unfolded very differently as it would have delayed European exploration and colonization by decades or even centuries.

The caravel earns the top spot because it literally changed the course of world history. It connected continents, enabled global trade networks, facilitated cultural exchange, and ultimately reshaped the geopolitical landscape of the entire planet. Few other inventions can claim such a profound impact on human civilization.

Conclusion

The next time you use a measuring device, eat tempura, or sail on a modern ship, remember that you have Portugal to thank! The Portuguese spirit of adventure and innovation truly changed the course of human history. It provided some of the most crucial threads that hold our global civilization together.

Currently, Portugal’s most famous emigrant is Cristiano Ronaldo. But many other Portuguese have also found international fame and fortune after leaving the country. These emigrants have made significant impacts in a diverse array of fields from sports and entertainment to science and business. Here are ten remarkable success stories of Portuguese natives who achieved global recognition after departing their country of birth.

1. Joana Vasconcelos

Born in Paris to Portuguese parents in 1971 but raised and educated in Portugal, Joana Vasconcelos established herself as an artist in Lisbon before achieving international acclaim when her work was featured at the 2005 Venice Biennale. Her major international breakthrough came after she began exhibiting extensively outside Portugal, becoming one of the most recognized contemporary Portuguese artists globally.

With a net worth estimated at €15 million, Vasconcelos has built an impressive career through her large-scale sculptures and installations that often incorporate traditional Portuguese crafts and materials in surprising contemporary contexts. Her works have been exhibited in prestigious venues including the Palace of Versailles. With this exhibition, she became the first female artist to display work throughout the historic French palace.

Currently working between her massive Lisbon studio and international exhibitions, Vasconcelos’ success derives from her ability to blend provocative contemporary themes and Portuguese cultural traditions. Her monumental works explore consumer culture, feminine identity, and cultural heritage.

2. António Guterres

António Guterres was born in Lisbon in 1949 and served as Portugal’s Prime Minister before truly achieving global prominence after leaving his homeland. In 2005, he departed Portugal to become the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and in 2017, he assumed the organization’s top position as Secretary-General of the United Nations.

With an estimated net worth of $10-12 million accumulated largely through his international career, Guterres now leads the world’s most important diplomatic organization. His success on the global stage came through his diplomatic skills, commitment to human rights, and ability to navigate complex international crises.

Guterres is now serving as the UN Secretary-General and represents his nation at the highest levels of global governance. He advocates for climate action, conflict resolution, and sustainable development around the world.

3. Paula Rego

Paula Rego was born in Lisbon in 1935 and left Portugal during the Salazar dictatorship to study at the Slade School of Fine Art in London, where she would eventually settle permanently. After leaving Portugal, she developed into one of the most important figurative artists of her generation.

With paintings selling for millions at auction, Rego accumulated a substantial net worth estimated at over €15 million before her death in 2022. Her powerful, narrative-driven works exploring political oppression, gender relations, and Portuguese folk tales earned her international acclaim, including a DBE (Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire) from Queen Elizabeth II.

Rego’s achieved fame due to her distinctive artistic vision, unflinching exploration of difficult themes, and technical mastery that allowed her to create a uniquely powerful body of work that resonated across cultures.

4. José Neves

Born in Porto in 1974, José Neves founded Farfetch, a luxury fashion platform, after moving to London. While his entrepreneurial journey began in Portugal, his breakthrough global success came after relocating to the UK.

With a current net worth estimated at $1.5 billion, Neves has transformed Farfetch into a multi-billion-dollar enterprise that revolutionized luxury e-commerce. The company went public on the New York Stock Exchange in 2018 in a high-profile IPO.

Currently serving as CEO of Farfetch, Neves connects boutiques around the world with a global customer base through technology. His vision of merging fashion with technology has made him one of Portugal’s most successful entrepreneurial exports.

5. Rui Chafes

Rui Chafes was born in Lisbon in 1966 and studied sculpture at the Faculty of Fine Arts of Lisbon before continuing his education in Germany. After completing his education in Portugal and brief studies abroad, he returned to Portugal but gradually built an international career through exhibitions and installations across Europe.

With a net worth estimated at €5 million, Chafes has become one of Portugal’s most internationally recognized sculptors. His distinctive black iron sculptures, which combine industrial materials with poetic and philosophical themes, have been exhibited in major museums and galleries worldwide including the Venice Biennale.

Currently working from his studio in Portugal while exhibiting internationally, Chafes represents the intellectual and artistic potential of Portuguese artists on the global stage. His success came through his unique artistic vision that explores the relationship between materiality and spirituality. He creates works that are simultaneously imposing in their physical presence yet ethereal in their conceptual reach.

6. António Horta-Osório

Born in Lisbon in 1964, António Horta-Osório achieved his greatest professional success after leaving Portugal for the international banking sector. His career took him to Spain, Brazil, and ultimately the UK, where he became CEO of Lloyds Banking Group during a critical period following the financial crisis.

With a net worth estimated at over €20 million, Horta-Osório is regarded as one of Europe’s most accomplished banking executives. His tenure at Lloyds was marked by returning the bank to private ownership after government bailouts and restoring it to profitability.

Having served briefly as Chairman of Credit Suisse and now working as a senior advisor for various financial institutions, Horta-Osório’s success stems from his financial expertise, leadership skills, and ability to guide organizations through complex transformations.

7. José Mourinho

Born in Setúbal in 1963, José Mourinho has become one of the most recognizable and successful football managers in the world. After a modest playing career, Mourinho left Portugal in the early 2000s following his UEFA Champions League triumph with FC Porto, going on to manage elite clubs like Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Manchester United, and Roma.

Known as “The Special One,” Mourinho has amassed a personal fortune estimated at €120 million through his managerial contracts, endorsements, and media appearances. His tactical brilliance and charismatic personality have earned him over 25 major trophies across different leagues. This has made him one of the most decorated managers in football history.

Mourinho’s success stems from his extraordinary tactical knowledge, psychological mastery, and uncompromising pursuit of excellence. These qualities have made him a Portuguese icon far beyond the borders of his homeland.

8. Joaquim de Almeida

Joaquim de Almeida was born in Lisbon, Portugal in 1957 and received his early education there. After studying acting at the Conservatoire National Supérieur d’Art Dramatique in Lisbon, he left Portugal in his early 20s during the political unrest following the Carnation Revolution to pursue acting internationally, first in Vienna, then New York, and eventually Hollywood.

De Almeida has built an impressive international acting career spanning over four decades. He has become one of the most recognizable Portuguese faces in Hollywood. He’s especially known for playing villains and complex characters in major productions including “Clear and Present Danger,” “Desperado,” “Fast Five,” “24,” and “Queen of the South.” He’s worked with directors like Robert Rodriguez, Steven Soderbergh, and costarred with actors such as Harrison Ford, Antonio Banderas, and Salma Hayek.

With a net worth estimated at $3-5 million, de Almeida has established himself as one of the most successful Portuguese actors on the international stage. His success came from his distinctive presence, multilingual abilities (he speaks six languages fluently), and versatility as a character actor.

De Almeida divides his time between Los Angeles, New York, and occasionally Portugal. He represents how Portuguese acting talent can thrive in the highly competitive international entertainment industry. His career demonstrates how leaving Portugal opened doors to opportunities that might not have been available had he remained in his home country’s relatively small film industry.

9. Ticha Penicheiro

Born in Figueira da Foz, Portugal in 1974, Patrícia “Ticha” Nunes Penicheiro received her education in Portugal before moving to the United States to attend Old Dominion University. After completing her college education where she earned degrees in communications and interdisciplinary studies, she launched her professional basketball career entirely outside her homeland.

With a net worth estimated at $4 million, Penicheiro established herself as one of the greatest point guards in women’s basketball history. After being drafted 2nd overall in the 1998 WNBA Draft, she went on to become a four-time WNBA All-Star, three-time All-WNBA selection, and led the Sacramento Monarchs to a WNBA championship in 2005. Her extraordinary playmaking abilities helped her rank third all-time in career assists, and she led the league in assists seven times.

Penicheiro currently works as a sports agent in the United States. Her international success extended beyond America, as she also played professionally in Poland, Italy, Russia, Latvia, France, the Czech Republic, and Turkey. Her impact on basketball has been recognized with her induction into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019 and selection to the WNBA’s 15th, 20th, and 25th Anniversary Teams.

10. Daniela Ruah

Born in Boston to Portuguese parents and raised in Portugal until age 16, Daniela Ruah represents a unique cross-cultural journey. After beginning her acting career in Portuguese telenovelas, she left for London to study and later moved to the United States, where she achieved international fame starring in the long-running series “NCIS: Los Angeles.”

With a net worth estimated at $7 million, Ruah has successfully transitioned from Portuguese television to Hollywood. She has since become one of the most recognizable Portuguese faces in American entertainment.

Currently working as an actress and director, Ruah’s success after leaving Portugal was built on her acting talent, bilingual abilities, and determination to build an international career while staying close to her Portuguese roots.

Conclusion

These ten incredible individuals demonstrate the global impact of Portuguese people across sports, arts, business, and even diplomacy. Their stories not only bring pride to Portugal but also show how the Portuguese diaspora continues to influence and shape our world in profound ways.