Paulo Coelho facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Paulo Coelho
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Coelho in June 2024
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| Born | Paulo Coelho de Souza 24 August 1947 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |
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| Genre | Drama, romance |
| Years active | 1974–present |
| Notable works | The Alchemist |
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Paulo Coelho de Souza is a famous Brazilian writer and lyricist. He was born on August 24, 1947. He is well-known for his inspiring novels. His book The Alchemist, published in 1988, became a huge success around the world. Since 2002, he has been a member of the Brazilian Academy of Letters, which is a very important group for writers in Brazil.
Contents
Early Life and Challenges
Paulo Coelho was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He went to a school run by Jesuits. When he was 17, his parents sent him for treatment at a special institution. He managed to leave three times before he was finally released at age 20. Paulo later said that his parents were trying to help him, even though they didn't know the best way.
His parents wanted him to study law. Paulo started law school but soon realized his dream was to be a writer. After one year, he left school. He then traveled a lot, exploring South America, North Africa, Mexico, and Europe.
Paulo Coelho's Career Journey
Starting as a Songwriter
When Paulo Coelho returned to Brazil, he began working as a songwriter. He wrote lyrics for popular Brazilian singers like Elis Regina and Rita Lee. He also worked with the famous Brazilian pop artist Raul Seixas. Some of their songs were seen as having magical themes.
In 1974, Paulo was arrested by the military government that was ruling Brazil. They thought his song lyrics were too political and dangerous. He also worked as an actor, a journalist, and a theater director before focusing on writing.
A Spiritual Journey and New Path
In 1986, Paulo Coelho walked the Road of Santiago de Compostela in Spain. This is a long journey of over 500 miles. During this walk, he had a very important spiritual experience. He wrote about this journey in his book The Pilgrimage.
Paulo said that even though he was successful as a songwriter, he wasn't fulfilling his true dream. His dream was always to be a writer. After this journey, he decided to leave his songwriting career. He chose to become a full-time writer instead.
Becoming a Bestselling Author
Paulo Coelho published his first book, Hell Archives, in 1982. It did not become very popular. After his pilgrimage in 1986, he wrote The Pilgrimage, which was published in 1987.
He then wrote The Alchemist. A small Brazilian publisher first printed only 900 copies and didn't want to print more. But Paulo found a bigger publisher. When his next book, Brida, came out, The Alchemist started to become very popular. An American publisher, HarperCollins, published it in 1994. It quickly became a huge international bestseller.
Since The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho has written many more novels. He usually writes at least one new book every two years. Some of his books, like The Pilgrimage, Hippie, The Valkyries, and Aleph, tell stories from his own life. Other books, such as Maktub and Like the Flowing River, are collections of essays or teachings.
His books have been published in more than 170 countries. They have been translated into eighty-three different languages. Together, his books have sold over 320 million copies worldwide. In 2016, he was named one of the most influential authors of his time.
Film Adaptations
A movie about Paulo Coelho's life was made. Its international title is The Pilgrim – Story of Paulo Coelho. It was a joint project between Brazil and Spain. The film shows Paulo at different ages, played by two different actors. One of the producers said the movie is about a man who follows his dreams. The film was first shown in Brazilian theaters in 2014 and then released internationally in 2015.
Personal Life
Paulo Coelho married an artist named Christina Oiticica in 1980. For many years, they divided their time between Rio de Janeiro and a country house in France. Now, they live permanently in Geneva, Switzerland.
See also
In Spanish: Paulo Coelho para niños
