Antonio de Oliveira Salazar, b. Apr. 28, 1889, d. July 27,
1970, was dictator of !PORTUGAL!Portugal~ from 1932 to 1968--one of the
most enduring of modern European statesmen. Born of a modest
rural family, he studied in a seminary and graduated (1914)
from the law school at Coimbra University. In 1918 he became
professor of economics there and soon gained a reputation as a
financial expert.

In 1926, Salazar served briefly as finance minister, but he
resigned because he was not given veto power over all
expenditures. Two years later President Antonio de Carmona gave
him the power he demanded, and in July 1932, Salazar became
premier with dictatorial powers. He drafted the constitution of
the fascistlike Estado Novo (New State); put into effect in
1933, it was based on Catholic corporatist principles.

Salazar was an extreme conservative. A balanced budget, his
primary aim in 1928, became sacrosanct policy thereafter. He
maintained order with the help of a powerful secret police
(PIDE), a large army, and the paramilitary Portuguese Legion.
Meanwhile, the Portuguese people remained the poorest and least
educated in Western Europe. In foreign affairs Salazar sought
close relations with Spain, Britain, and the United States.
Attached to a vision of !PORTUGAL!Portugal~'s imperial past, he was
occupied in his last years in the futile and costly attempt to
repress rebellions in the African colonies.

Salazar was an austere and pious bachelor who shunned publicity
and devoted all his time to state affairs. In September 1968 he
suffered a stroke from which he never recovered.