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)
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)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)

Next Gallery

12 Powerful Quotes from Black Women Athletes to Inspire Greatness

12 Photos

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)

ADVERTISEMENT