Eight Leading Afro-Portuguese Women

This list includes Africa's first billionaire and a dame.

Portugal's Leading Women - In April 2011, Portugal native Ana Miranda launched the New York City-based Arte Institute to promote her homeland’s culture and spark intercultural collaborations between local creators. To mark the Institute’s inaugural celebration of Portuguese Women in the United States kicking off Oct. 5 in Manhattan, Miranda compiled a list of leading Afro-Portuguese women and those whose homelands share a strong cultural identity with Portugal. —Patrice Peck(Photos: Xinhua/Landov; Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images; EPA/PAULO NOVAIS/LANDOV)

1 / 9

Portugal's Leading Women - In April 2011, Portugal native Ana Miranda launched the New York City-based Arte Institute to promote her homeland’s culture and spark intercultural collaborations between local creators. To mark the Institute’s inaugural celebration of Portuguese Women in the United States kicking off Oct. 5 in Manhattan, Miranda compiled a list of leading Afro-Portuguese women and those whose homelands share a strong cultural identity with Portugal. —Patrice Peck(Photos: Xinhua/Landov; Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images; EPA/PAULO NOVAIS/LANDOV)

Lura - Afro-Portuguese singer and musician Lura was born in 1975 in Portugal to Cape Verdean parents. Her discography features traditional Cape Verdean music, including Morna, Furana and Batuque, as well as contemporary Western and African music.(Photo: WENN/Clare Jephcott)

2 / 9

Lura - Afro-Portuguese singer and musician Lura was born in 1975 in Portugal to Cape Verdean parents. Her discography features traditional Cape Verdean music, including Morna, Furana and Batuque, as well as contemporary Western and African music.(Photo: WENN/Clare Jephcott)

Maria de Lurdes Mutola - This retired track-and-field star specialized in the 800 meters event and was the fourth athlete to compete at six Olympic Games. Nicknamed the Maputo Express because of her birthplace in the capitol of Mozambique, Maria de Lurdes Mutola has one gold and one bronze Olympic medal and is a three-time 800 meter world champion.(Photo: Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

3 / 9

Maria de Lurdes Mutola - This retired track-and-field star specialized in the 800 meters event and was the fourth athlete to compete at six Olympic Games. Nicknamed the Maputo Express because of her birthplace in the capitol of Mozambique, Maria de Lurdes Mutola has one gold and one bronze Olympic medal and is a three-time 800 meter world champion.(Photo: Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

Tais Araujo - The first Black Brazilian actress to play the lead role in a national telenovela, Tais Araujo is of African, Austrian and Portuguese descent. She has starred in more than 20 films and television series, including Betty La Fea.(Photo: Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images)

4 / 9

Tais Araujo - The first Black Brazilian actress to play the lead role in a national telenovela, Tais Araujo is of African, Austrian and Portuguese descent. She has starred in more than 20 films and television series, including Betty La Fea.(Photo: Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images)

Alcinda Abreu - Mozambique native Alcinda Abreu was minister of foreign affairs in her home country from 2005 to 2008 before landing her current position, the minister of environment. Abreu has extensive experience in Mozambique’s political landscape, which she has been involved in since serving as the secretary-general of the Mozambique Youth Association in the late 1970s and early 1980s.(Photo: Xinhua/Landov)

5 / 9

Alcinda Abreu - Mozambique native Alcinda Abreu was minister of foreign affairs in her home country from 2005 to 2008 before landing her current position, the minister of environment. Abreu has extensive experience in Mozambique’s political landscape, which she has been involved in since serving as the secretary-general of the Mozambique Youth Association in the late 1970s and early 1980s.(Photo: Xinhua/Landov)

ADVERTISEMENT
Lidia Brito - Best known for her promotion of sustainable development in Africa, Lidia Brito is an engineer and university professor and also provides expertise on Mozambique’s forestry. Prior to her current position as director of science policy and capacity building at UNESCO, Brito served as the first minister of higher education, science and technology of Mozambique and deputy vice chancellor of Eduardo Mondlane University.(Photo: Courtesy of World Innovation Summit for Education)

6 / 9

Lidia Brito - Best known for her promotion of sustainable development in Africa, Lidia Brito is an engineer and university professor and also provides expertise on Mozambique’s forestry. Prior to her current position as director of science policy and capacity building at UNESCO, Brito served as the first minister of higher education, science and technology of Mozambique and deputy vice chancellor of Eduardo Mondlane University.(Photo: Courtesy of World Innovation Summit for Education)

PRY_179555_Sara_TAVARES

7 / 9

Sara Tavares - Inspired by her Cape-Verdean roots, Portugal native Sara Tavares is a singer, guitarist and percussionist, who emphasizes her multicultural roots by composing multilingual songs. The internationally acclaimed performer has received several awards, including a Portuguese Golden Globe.(Photo: Philip Ryalls/Redferns/Getty Images)

Par7636761

8 / 9

Graca Machel - Known across the globe for her marriage to the legendary former South African president Nelson Mandela, former first lady Graca Machel is a prominent advocate for women’s and children’s rights, who was made a dame for her outstanding humanitarian work.(Photo: STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN/AFP/Getty Images)

Isabel Dos Santos - Although the origins of her assets have sparked a number of controversies — particularly at Forbes.com — Isabel Dos Santos became Africa’s first woman billionaire in 2013 when her net worth surpassed $3 billion. The daughter of Angola’s President Jose Eduardo Dos Santos, she is also internationally known for her widespread business endeavors and investments.(Photo: EPA/PAULO NOVAIS/LANDOV)

9 / 9

Isabel Dos Santos - Although the origins of her assets have sparked a number of controversies — particularly at Forbes.com — Isabel Dos Santos became Africa’s first woman billionaire in 2013 when her net worth surpassed $3 billion. The daughter of Angola’s President Jose Eduardo Dos Santos, she is also internationally known for her widespread business endeavors and investments.(Photo: EPA/PAULO NOVAIS/LANDOV)