It has been exactly 27 years since Amália Rodrigues, the greatest reference in Portuguese Fado, passed away.
The Diário de Notícias da Madeira, in its October 7, 2026 edition, paid tribute to the singer, reporting her death the previous day.
João Carlos Abreu recalled Amália's connection to Madeira, highlighting her passion for the island's flowers and the friendship that united them since they met aboard the Vera Cruz. He described her as an "ambassador" for Portugal, a "woman of the people with a very special gift" who "deeply loved Madeira."
Madeiran actor Virgílio Teixeira, who co-starred with Amália in ‘O Fado’, described her as "gorgeous, fun, and a sensational singer," lamenting her loss as "very great for Portugal." Alberto João Jardim also paid tribute to his "friend," emphasizing her role in Portuguese culture and as a "symbol of Portugal" and a "great friend of Madeira."
