António Ramalho Eanes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
António Ramalho Eanes
GCoITE CvA GColA GCL GColL GCIH GColIH GCCa
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Ramalho Eanes in 2019
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| 16th President of Portugal | |
| In office 14 July 1976 – 9 March 1986 |
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| Prime Minister | Mário Soares Alfredo Nobre da Costa Carlos Mota Pinto Maria de Lurdes Pintasilgo Francisco Sá Carneiro Francisco Pinto Balsemão Aníbal Cavaco Silva |
| Preceded by | Francisco da Costa Gomes |
| Succeeded by | Mário Soares |
| President of the Democratic Renewal Party | |
| In office 19 August 1986 – 5 August 1987 |
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| Vice President | Hermínio Martinho |
| Preceded by | Hermínio Martinho |
| Succeeded by | Hermínio Martinho |
| President of the Revolutionary Council | |
| In office 14 July 1976 – 30 September 1982 |
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| Preceded by | Francisco da Costa Gomes |
| Succeeded by | Office abolished |
| Chief of the Armed Forces General Staff | |
| In office 14 July 1976 – 16 February 1981 |
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| Preceded by | Francisco da Costa Gomes |
| Succeeded by | Nuno de Melo Egídio |
| Chief of the Army General Staff | |
| In office 6 December 1975 – 14 July 1976 |
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| Preceded by | Carlos Soares Fabião |
| Succeeded by | Vasco Rocha Vieira |
| Chair of Radio and Television of Portugal | |
| In office 28 October 1974 – 11 March 1975 |
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| Preceded by | Casimiro Gomes |
| Succeeded by | João António de Figueiredo |
| Member of the Assembly of the Republic | |
| In office 13 August 1987 – 3 November 1991 |
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| Constituency | Lisbon |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
António dos Santos Ramalho Eanes
25 January 1935 Alcains, Castelo Branco, Portugal |
| Political party | Independent (1974–1986; 1991–present) |
| Other political affiliations |
Democratic Renewal Party (1986–1991) |
| Spouse |
Manuela Ramalho Eanes
(m. 1970) |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | Military Academy |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Portugal |
| Branch/service |  Portuguese Army |
| Years of service | 1952–1986 |
| Rank | General |
| Battles/wars | Portuguese Colonial War |
António dos Santos Ramalho Eanes (born on January 25, 1935) is a Portuguese general and politician. He was the 16th president of Portugal from 1976 to 1986.
Contents
Early Life and Background
António Ramalho Eanes was born in Alcains, a town in the Castelo Branco area of Portugal. His father, Manuel dos Santos Eanes, worked as a general contractor. His mother was Maria do Rosário Ramalho.
A Career in Politics
Ramalho Eanes had a long career in the military. He served in the Portuguese Colonial Wars. He was in Portuguese Angola when the Carnation Revolution happened in 1974. This revolution changed Portugal from a dictatorship to a democracy.
After returning to Portugal, he joined the Movimento das Forças Armadas (MFA), which means the Armed Forces Movement. He became the head of RTP, Portugal's public television.
The "Hot Summer" and Becoming President
In 1975, Ramalho Eanes became a key leader in the military. He helped stop a group that was trying to make Portugal a communist country. This event, known as the military counter-coup of 25 November 1975, ended a period called the "hot summer".
In June 1976, he was elected President of Portugal. Most political parties supported him, except for the Communists. As president, he was also the commander-in-chief of the Portuguese Armed Forces. He was also the head of the Council of the Revolution.
He first asked the Socialist Party to form a government. Later, he appointed different leaders to try and improve Portugal's economy. He was re-elected in 1980 and served until March 1986.
After the Presidency
After his time as president, Ramalho Eanes led the Democratic Renewal Party. He continued to be an important figure in Portuguese politics.
He is currently a member of the Portuguese Council of State. This is a group of important people who advise the president.
Ramalho Eanes is highly respected in Portugal. People admire him for his honesty and strong sense of duty. He has even turned down special titles and large sums of money. He believes that his service to the country is its own reward.
Family Life
António Ramalho Eanes married Maria Manuela Duarte Neto Portugal on October 28, 1970. She was known for being a very active First Lady. They have two sons, Manuel António (born in 1972) and Miguel (born in 1977).
Honours and Awards
Ramalho Eanes has received many important awards and honours throughout his life.
National Honours
Grand Collar of the Military Order of the Tower and Sword (GColTE, 9 March 1986)
Grand Collar of the Military Order of Aviz (GColA, 10 June 2025)
Knight of the Military Order of Aviz (CvA, 19 January 1972)
Grand Collar of the Order of Prince Henry (GColIH, 20 June 2016)
Grand Collar of the Order of Liberty (GColL, 18 December 2015)
Grand Cross of the Order of Liberty (GCL, 25 April 2004)
International Recognition
He also received many awards from other countries around the world. These include honours from Algeria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Denmark, East Timor, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, the Holy See, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Mozambique, Norway, Romania, the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Spain, the United Kingdom, Yugoslavia, and Zaire.
Images for kids
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Signature of Ramalho Eanes
See also
In Spanish: António Ramalho Eanes para niños
