Portrait of the beautiful Estelinha

This portrait by Henrique Medina can be seen in the City Hall of Viana do Castelo.

The painting depicts a beautiful girl who was born in Viana do Castelo. Her name was Maria Estela Veloso de Antas Varajão.
In 1950, Maria Estela posed for the artist. And this oil portrait was seen by the artist's friend Francisco da Costa Gomes. The Portuguese know the name of this young man. For those who do not know, I will say that in 1974, after the Carnation Revolution, Francisco da Costa Gomes became the President of the Portuguese Republic.

He fell in love with the girl in the portrait at first sight. In 1952, Estela married Francisco.

Since then, "Estelinha", as Francisco affectionately called her, accompanied her husband wherever his military and political career took him, be it to Lisbon, the United States of America, Mozambique or Angola. In September 1974, Francisco da Costa Gomes took office as President of the Portuguese Republic.

During his presidency, Portugal faced a turbulent period known as the Continuing Revolutionary Process . Despite the ambiguity of his position, Gomes fought to avert the threat of civil war.
In 1982, he received the honorary title of Field Marshal .

Gomes died at the age of 87. Estela Costa Gomes outlived her husband by 12 years, dying in 2013.