Amália Rodrigues is a unique symbol of Portugal. She was an extraordinary artist, still called the queen of Fado. Amalia made Portuguese music famous all over the world and brought it back to favor after years of political turmoil in Portugal. To celebrate the centenary of her birth Portugal Post issued a set of two stamps. The stamps show the singer’s photos and items of her clothing such as a dress and a scarf.
Amália Rodrigues was born in Lisbon on July 1, 1920 and got her start on the docks of Lisbon's Alcantara port quarter, singing while she sold fruit with her mother and sister. She was famous before she left her teens. When she began to perform in clubs along the waterfront in 1939, her career took off, paving the way for appearences in theatre productions, movies and world-wide concert tours. Amalia triumphed with a version of "Grandola Vila Morena", a song symbolizing the revolution, and was awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of Santiago, Portugal's highest honor. She continued to perform around the world until the 1980's, when increasing health problems caused her to retreat from public life.
Take a look at other stamps honoring famous singers.
