António de Ataíde

António de Ataíde (c. 1500 - 1563), count of Castanheira, was a childhood friend and favorite of King John III of Portugal (João III). He served as ambassador to France and later Spain.

John appointed him state councilor and vedor da fazenda (minister of finance or chancellor) in 1532 and he held the latter post until the king's death in 1557. Ataíde directed the establishment captaincies of Brazil along with his cousin, Martim Afonso de Sousa, the first royal governor of the new territory, and the king himself.

Spouse: Ana de Távora.

See also

• João de Barros (friend of Ataíde, writer, and donatário of two captaincies)
• Vasco Fernandes Coutinho, captain of Espírito Santo (neighbor of Ataíde and donatário)