The choice of the winner of the 36th edition of the Personality of the Year/Martha de la Cal Award was, as has been the case since 1990, determined by a vote of foreign correspondents accredited in Portugal and registered with the association.

Reason for the victory

In a statement, the association says that the main justification given by foreign journalists in Portugal for awarding this prize to the President of the Republic, who ceased his functions in March of this year, was his "commitment to democracy," emphasising that, during his two terms, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa "was a great defender of the democratic regime."

Supporting immigrants

The AEIP also highlights the defence of immigrants made by the former President of the Republic, recalling that, as Head of State, Marcelo “returned, after consultations with the Constitutional Court, the bills that amended the Foreigners Law and the Nationality Law”.

“In his last term, the award winner was an important voice from an international point of view, for having raised his voice, both in Portugal and in international forums, against attacks on fundamental rights and in firm defence of freedom of the press, at a time when it was being attacked even within the White House,” the association further emphasises.

Connections with Lusophony

The association also praises the role of the former Head of State in “strengthening the country's connection with Lusophone nations and in the dissemination of the Portuguese language”.

Quoted in the statement, Vicente Nunes, president of AIEP, says that “for all these factors, there is no doubt that Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa deserves the Personality of the Year 2025 award”.

Among the previous winners are pianist Maria João Pires, writer José Saramago, fado singer Mariza, the Captains of April, former President of the Republic Mário Soares, footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

The award has been given since 1990 by foreign journalists accredited in Portugal and registered with the Association and is named after the American journalist Martha De La Cal (1926-2011), who was Time magazine’s correspondent in Portugal for over 40 years.