Américo Thomaz
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| President of Portugal | |
| Order: | 14th (6th since the 1926 revolution, 4th of the Estado Novo) |
|---|---|
| Term of Office | August 9, 1958 - April 25, 1974 |
| Predecessor: | Francisco Craveiro Lopes |
| Successor: | António de Spínola (as Head of the National Salvation Junta) |
| Date of Birth | November 19, 1894 |
| Place of Birth: | Lisbon |
| Date of Death | September 18, 1987 |
| Place of Death: | Cascais |
| Nickname | Cabeça-de-Abóbora (pejorative, literally Pumpkin-Head, equivalent to Meathead) |
| Wife: | Gertrudes Rodrigues |
| Occupation: | Naval officer (Rear-Admiral) |
| Political Party: | National Union |
Américo de Deus Rodrigues Tomás (pron. IPA [ɐ'mɛɾiku dɨ deuʃ ʁu'dɾigɨʃ tu'maʃ]), also spelled Américo Thomaz (November 19, 1894 - September 18, 1987). Portuguese admiral and politician. Minister of Navy in 1944. Elected president of the Republic in 1958 (in rigged elections), re-elected in 1965 and 1972 (by Parliament, whose elections were also rigged). During this time, Portugal was ruled by the authoritarian regime of António de Oliveira Salazar and the president of the republic had only a figurative role. Just once Tomás used his presidential prerogative: to dismiss Salazar when he became incapacitated by a severe stroke in September, 1968. Tomás appointed Marcello Caetano to replace Salazar as prime minister. He took a much more active role in the government after Caetano took power, and became the rallying point for hard-liners who thought that even Caetano's cosmetic reforms went too far.
When in April 25, 1974, the "Carnation Revolution" deposed Caetano, Tomás was also overthrown and sent to exile in Brazil until 1980, when he returned to Portugal.
The pompous style with which he was referred to by the compliant state media (His Excellency the President of the Portuguese Republic Rear-Admiral Américo de Deus Thomaz), as contrasted by the virtual powerlessness of his office under Salazar, made him a target of frequent jokes.
| Preceded by Francisco Craveiro Lopes |
President of Portugal 1958–1974 |
Succeeded by António de Spínola (first, as President of the National Salvation Junta, then President of Portugal) |
| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| NAME | Thomaz, Américo |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Rodrigues Thomaz, Américo de Deus (full name); Tomás, Américo (alternative spelling); Tomaz, Américo (alternative spelling), Rodrigues Tomás, Américo de Deus (alternative spelling full name); Rodrigues Tomaz, Américo de Deus (alternative spelling full name) |
| SHORT DESCRIPTION | President of Portugal |
| DATE OF BIRTH | November 19, 1894 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Lisbon, Portugal |
| DATE OF DEATH | September 18, 1987 |
| PLACE OF DEATH | Cascais, Portugal |
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