Zélia Gattai facts for kids

Zélia Gattai Amado de Faria (July 2, 1916 – May 17, 2008) was a famous Brazilian writer and photographer. She wrote many books, including stories for children and her own life story. Zélia was also a member of the Brazilian Academy of Letters, which is a very important group for writers in Brazil. She wrote 14 different books during her life.

Zélia Gattai's Early Life

Zélia Gattai was born in São Paulo, Brazil, on July 2, 1916. Her family came from Italy. Her father, Ernesto Gattai, believed in a political idea called anarchism. This idea is about people living freely without a strong government. Because of his beliefs, her father was arrested in 1938. This happened during a time in Brazil called the Vargas Estado Novo regime, when the government was very strict. Zélia grew up in São Paulo.

Zélia's Connections and Family

In the 1930s, Zélia Gattai became friends with many important artists and writers. These were people who were part of the modernist movement in Brazil. They included famous names like Oswald de Andrade and Tarsila do Amaral.

When she was 20, Zélia married Aldo Veiga. He was a political activist. They had a son named Luís Carlos Veiga. After eight years, their marriage ended. Later, Zélia fell in love with Jorge Amado, who was also a famous writer and activist.

In 1945, Zélia and Jorge started living together. Their first child, João Jorge Amado, was born in 1946. Because of political problems in Brazil, Zélia and her family had to leave the country. They moved to Europe for five years.

Life in Europe

First, they lived in Paris, France. While there, Zélia studied French language and culture at the University of Sorbonne. She earned a degree in 1949.

After Paris, they moved to Prague, which is now in the Czech Republic. They lived there from 1950 to 1952. Their third child, Paloma Jorge Amado, was born in Prague. It was also in Prague that Zélia found her love for photography.

Returning to Brazil

The family came back to Brazil in 1952. They lived in Rio de Janeiro for eleven years. In 1963, they moved to Salvador in the state of Bahia. Zélia lived in Salvador for the rest of her life. She passed away in Salvador on May 17, 2008, at the age of 91.

Zélia Gattai's Writing Career

Zélia Gattai started her writing career in 1979. Her first book was called Anarquistas, Graças a Deus (which means "Anarchists, Thanks to God"). This book was about her early life and what it was like for Italian families who moved to Brazil. It was a memoir, which is a true story about someone's life.

This book became very popular. In 1984, it was even made into a TV miniseries by the Globo Television Network. This helped many more people learn about Zélia's story.

Throughout her career, Zélia wrote in many different styles. She wrote more memoirs, children's books, and even a romance novel. Many of her books also included her own photography. This helped her tell her stories even better. In total, Zélia wrote 14 books. This included three successful children's books, ten memoirs, and one novel.

After her husband, Jorge Amado, passed away in 2001, Zélia was chosen to join the Brazilian Academy of Letters. This is a great honor for writers in Brazil.

Zélia Gattai's Books

Here are some of the books Zélia Gattai wrote:

• Anarquistas graças a Deus - 1979 (memoirs)
• Um chapéu para viagem - 1982 (memoirs)
• Senhora dona do baile - 1984 (memoirs)
• Reportagem incompleta - 1987 (photobiography)
• Jardim de inverno - 1988 (memoirs)
• Pipistrelo das mil cores - 1989 (children's fiction)
• O segredo da rua 18 - 1991 (children's fiction)
• Chão de meninos - 1992 (memoirs)
• Crônica de uma namorada - 1995 (novel)
• A casa do Rio Vermelho - 1999 (memoirs)
• Cittá di Roma - 2000 (memoirs)
• Jonas e a sereia - 2000 (children's fiction)
• Códigos de família - 2001 (memoirs)
• Jorge Amado um baiano sensual e romântico - 2002 (memoirs)
• Vacina de Sapo e outras lembranças - 2005 (memoirs)

Awards and Special Honors

Zélia Gattai received many awards and honors for her writing. Here are some of them:

Awards

• Prêmio Dante Alighieri (Dante Alighieri Award) - 1980
• Prêmio Revelação Literária (Literary Revelation Award) - 1980
• Diploma de Sócia Benemérita da Ordem Brasileira dos Poetas da Literatura de Cordel (Certificate of Meritorious Partner of Brazilian Poets)
• Diploma de Madrinha dos Trovadores (Certificate of Mother of Troubadours)
• Medalha do Mérito Castro Alves (The Castro Alves Medal of Merit) - 1987
• Diploma de Reconhecimento do Povo Carioca (Certificate of Recognition from the People of Rio de Janeiro)
• Prêmio Destaque do Ano (Highlight of the Year Award) - 1988
• Diploma de Magnífica Amiga dos Trovadores Capixabas (Certificate of Magnificent Friend of the Trovadores Capixabas) - 1991
• Comenda das Artes e das Letras (Commendation of the Arts and Letters) - 1998
• Comenda Maria Quitéria (Commendation Maria Quitéria) - 1999

Titles and Recognitions

Zélia Gattai also received these special titles:

• Named one of "The ten most successful women in Brazil" by Mac Keen - 1980
• Título de Sócia Benemérita do Clube Baiano da Trova (Title of Meritorious Partner by the Club of Baiano da Trova) - 1981
• Título de Cidadã Honorária da Cidade de Salvador, Bahia (Title of Honorary Citizen of Salvador, Bahia) - 1984
• Título de Cidadã Honorária da Cidade de Mirabeau (Title of Honorary Citizen of Mirabeau) - 1985
• Título no grau de Grande Oficial da Ordem do Infante Dom Henrique (Title of Great Officer of the Order of the Infante Dom Henrique) - 1986
• Elected Woman of the Year by the National Council of Women - 1989

See also

In Spanish: Zélia Gattai para niños