Famous Portuguese Historical Personalities

Pedro I of Brazil was the founder of the Empire of Brazil and reigned as its emperor from 1822 to 1831. He also ruled over Portugal before abdicating the throne in favor of Dona Maria II. He is credited with spreading the liberal ideals that enabled Portugal and Brazil to move to representative forms of government from absolutist regimes.

Philip IV of Spain was the king of Spain from 1621 to 1665 and the king of Portugal from 1621 to 1640. He was a fine horseman and a keen hunter but was considered a weak ruler with excessive dependence on the ministers. Even though the Spanish empire expanded considerably during his reign, he was not a popular king.

Maria II of Portugal was the Queen of Portugal from 2 May 1826 to 23 June 1828. She reigned as the queen once again from 1834 until her death in 1853 at the age of 34 due to complications during her 11th delivery.

Afonso I of Portugal reigned as the first king of Portugal from 26 July 1139 until his death on 6 December 1185. He played an important role in freeing the County of Portugal, founding a new kingdom, and expanding its area to more than double of its original size.       

Peter I of Portugal reigned as the King of Portugal from 28 May 1357 until his death on 18 January 1367. He is best remembered as a just king who perhaps believed in the eye for an eye principle.

Born the Archduchess of Austria, Maria Leopoldina was a great painter and also grew up studying subjects such as botany and mineralogy. By virtue of her marriage to Pedro I of Brazil and IV of Portugal, she became the queen of Portugal and the empress of Brazil.

The eldest daughter of Portuguese king John III, Maria Manuela was also the first wife of Philip II of Spain, who ruled Spain, Portugal, Naples, and Sicily at various points. She died following a haemorrhage after giving birth to Carlos, Prince of Asturius, also known as Don Carlos.