Amália da Piedade Rebordão Rodrigues GCSE, GCIH (23 July 1920 – 6 October 1999), better known as Amália Rodrigues (Portuguese pronunciation: [ɐˈmaliɐ ʁuˈðɾiɣɨʃ]) or popularly as Amália, was a Portuguese fadista (fado singer) and actress.

How old was amália Rodrigues when she died?

Amalia Rodrigues, the Portuguese singer who was considered the queen of fado, died yesterday at her home in Lisbon. She was 79. Her recording company, Valentim de Carvalho, said she was found dead in her bed by her secretary.

Why is Amalia Rodrigues famous?

In 1947 she debuted as an actress in the Portuguese movie “Capas Negras” (with Alberto Ribeiro) and it became the best movie of the year in Portugal and Amália became a great international celebrity and the most admired and loved star of Portugal.

When was Amalia Rodrigues born?

Amália da Piedade Rebordão Rodrigues, (born July 23, 1920, Lisbon, Port. —died Oct. 6, 1999, Lisbon), Portuguese singer whose haunting and passionate renditions of her homeland’s melancholic traditional form of music known as fado brought her international fame.

What is fado music?

In popular belief, fado is a form of music characterized by mournful tunes and lyrics, often about the sea or the life of the poor, and infused with a sentiment of resignation, fate and melancholy.