Famous People Born In Salvador

Adriana Lima is a Brazilian model who became famous as a Victoria's Secret Angel. One of the longest-running Victoria's Secret Angels of all time, Lima was adjudged the most valuable Angel in 2017. Since 2003, she has been serving as a spokesmodel for Maybelline cosmetics. One of the world's highest-paid models, Adriana Lima is also known for her charity work.

Astrud Gilberto is a Brazilian singer best known as an exponent of bossa nova and samba. She achieved international recognition in the 1960s after the release of her song The Girl from Ipanema. In 1992, she was honored with the Latin Jazz USA Award. In 2002, Astrud Gilberto was made an inductee of the International Latin Music Hall of Fame.

Tony Kanaan is a Brazilian racing driver best known for winning the Indianapolis 500 in 2013 as well as the IndyCar Series championship in 2004. In 2015, he won the 24 Hours of Daytona, driving for Chip Ganassi Racing. Tony Kanaan has also appeared on TV and films like Driven and IndyCar 36.

Brazilian professional mixed martial artist Lyoto Machida is currently signed with Bellator MMA. He competes in the light heavyweight division. He was previously associated with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). The son of Shotokan karate master Yoshizo Machida, Lyoto began his training when he was just three. He has an MMA record of 26 wins from 36 matches.

Gilberto Gil is a Brazilian politician, singer, and songwriter. Renowned for his political activism and musical innovation, Gil began his career by writing songs that aimed at creating political awareness. Not surprisngly, he played an important role in the tropicália musical movement during the 1960s. Over the course of his career, Gilberto Gil has won a couple of Grammy Awards.

Retired Brazilian footballer José Roberto Gama de Oliveira, better known as Bebeto, had an illustrious career and was part of the 1994 FIFA World Cup-winning Brazilian squad. He also had successful stints with clubs such as Flamengo. He later stepped into politics and has served as the State Deputy of Rio de Janeiro.

Carlos Marighella was a Brazilian politician and guerrilla fighter of Marxist–Leninist orientation. As a young man, he enrolled at the Polytechnic School of Bahia to study engineering but quit to join the Brazilian Communist Party (PCB). Also a writer, he authored the Minimanual of the Urban Guerrilla, a book on revolutionary struggle. He was killed by the police in 1969. 

Retired Portuguese footballer Hugo Viana was touted as the next big thing after winning the European Footballer of the Year award with Sporting CP. He also represented clubs such as Newcastle United and Valencia, and won titles such as the UAE League Cup with Al Ahli.

Marcelo Odebrecht is a Brazilian businessman best known for his service as the former CEO of the diversified conglomerate, Odebrecht. He was arrested and sentenced to 19 years in prison in 2016 for paying over $30 million in bribes. Odebrecht admitted guilt, paid a $2 billion fine, and provided evidence to authorities, which helped reduce his sentence to ten years.

Carlinhos Brown is a Brazilian singer, record producer, and percussionist. He is best known for his characteristic musical style that fuses funk, soul, R&B, traditional Brazilian percussion, and reggae. Brown, who has won a couple of Latin Grammy Awards, is also known for his philanthropic activity. Carlinhos Brown has done much to improve the quality of living of his hometown.

Daniela Mercury is a Brazilian singer, dancer, songwriter, actress, producer, and television host. Mercury, who has sold more than 20 million records worldwide, has several Brazilian Music Awards under her belt. Daniela Mercury is also known for her philanthropic activities; she performs at charitable events and represents various non-profit organizations. 

Dorival Caymmi was a Brazilian singer-songwriter. He played a major role in the birth of Brazil's bossa nova movement. He gained much fame for his ballads celebrating the fishermen and women of Bahia. In an extensive career spanning more than 70 years, he composed around 100 songs and influenced Brazil's image in the eyes of both Brazilians and foreigners. 

Ruy Barbosa was a Brazilian writer, diplomat, jurist, and politician. He was a staunch defender of civil liberties and called for the abolition of slavery in Brazil. He represented Brazil in the second Hague convention and argued for Brazil's participation in World War I on the side of the Allies. He wanted Brazil to be more involved in the war. 

Gregório de Matos, or the Brazilian Villon, was a talented lawyer who at times defended the poor free of cost. He later penned many satirical poems, criticizing the Church. He was exiled to Angola, where he contracted a deadly disease. Upon his return to Brazil, he was barred from releasing his poems.

Rodolfo Amoedo was a Brazilian painter and designer. He received his training at the Academia Imperial de Belas Artes under renowned teachers including João Zeferino da Costa and Agostinho José da Mota. He participated in the Paris Salon for a few years before returning home to pursue an academic career. Brothers Arthur and João Timóteo da Costa were his students.