António de Spínola
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His Excellency António de Spínola GCTE ComA |
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Oil painting by Duarte Pimentel
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| 14th President of Portugal | |
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In office 15 May 1974 – 30 September 1974 |
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| Prime Minister |
Adelino da Palma Carlos Vasco Gonçalves |
| Preceded by | Américo Tomás |
| Succeeded by | Francisco da Costa Gomes |
| President of the National Salvation Junta | |
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In office 25 April 1974 – 30 September 1974 |
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| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Francisco da Costa Gomes |
| Governor of the Portuguese Guinea | |
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In office 20 May 1968 – August 1973 |
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| President | Américo Tomás |
| Preceded by | Arnaldo Schulz |
| Succeeded by | Bettencourt Rodrigues |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
11 April 1910 Estremoz, Portugal |
| Died | 13 August 1996 (aged 86) Lisbon, Portugal |
| Nationality | Portuguese |
| Political party | |
| Spouse(s) | Maria Helena Barros |
| Alma mater | Portuguese Military Academy |
| Occupation |
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| Profession | Military officer |
| Portfolio | Overseas Colonial Territories |
| Religion | Roman Catholicism |
| Awards | |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |
 Portugal
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| Service/branch |
 Portuguese Army
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| Years of service | 1920–1974, 1981 |
| Rank |
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| Commands |
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| Battles/wars | |
António Sebastião Ribeiro de Spínola GCTE ComA (generally referred to as António de Spínola, Portuguese pronunciation: [ɐ̃ ˈtɔniu dɨ ˈspinulɐ]; 11 April 1910 – 13 August 1996) was a Portuguese military officer, author and conservative politician who played an important role in Portugal's transition to democracy following the Carnation Revolution.
Spínola was born in Santo André, Estremoz to António Sebastião Spínola and his first wife Maria Gabriela Alves Ribeiro, both natives of Madeira.
Spínola entered the Colégio Militar in 1920, beginning what would be a very successful military career. By 1928, Spínola was at Portugal's Military Academy, where he stood out as a young and promising cavalry officer.
In Anjos, Lisbon, by August 1932, he married Maria Helena Martin Monteiro de Barros (14 January 1913 – 23 May 2002), daughter of João de Azevedo Monteiro de Barros and his German wife Gertrud Elisabete Martin.
In 1939, he became adjunct-de-camp of the Guarda Nacional Republicana (Republican National Guard). In 1941 he travelled to the German-Russian Front, as an observer, to monitor Wehrmacht movements during the encirclement of Leningrad (the Portuguese volunteers had been incorporated into the Blue Division).
In 1961, guided by António de Oliveira Salazar, he offered himself for voluntary service in Portuguese colonies of West Africa. Between 1961 and 1963, he held the command of the 345th Cavalry Battalion in Portuguese Angola, distinguishing himself and his unit. At the end of his tenure, he was appointed for, and served as, the Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Portuguese Guinea from 1968, and again in 1972, during the period of the Overseas War, where his administration favoured a policy of respect for ethnic Guineans and the traditional authorities. At the same time, he continued to practice a range of initiatives in the War, from clandestine meetings (he met secretly with the President of Senegal, Léopold Sédar Senghor, at one point) to armed incursions to neighbouring states (such as Operation Green Sea, which saw the assault by Portuguese Army Commandos into Conakry, Guinea).
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