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Paulo Coelho

パウロ・コエーリョ

Paulo Coelho

Aliases: Paulo Coelho de Souza

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1947-08-24 (Rio de Janeiro)
Nationality
Brazil
Languages
Portuguese
Religion
Catholic
Residence History
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil → Pyrenees, France → Geneva, Switzerland

Career

Occupations
Lyricist, Novelist, Playwright, Journalist, Theatre director
Active Years
1974-2024
Affiliations
Brazilian Academy of Letters
Memberships
Brazilian Academy of Letters
Influenced By
Raul Seixas, Sufi tradition

Education

Jesuit school
Country: Brazil
Attended as a child

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

The Alchemist

1988 Drama/Romance

A young shepherd's spiritual journey to pursue his dream.

Personal legendOmensSpiritual awakening

Bibliography

  • The Alchemist
  • The Pilgrimage
  • Brida
  • The Fifth Mountain
  • Veronika Decides to Die

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Simple, fable-like styleSpiritual and philosophical themes
Recurring Motifs
OmensPersonal legendSpiritual journey

Health

  • Mental illness (suspected)
    17歳時
    Committed to mental institution three times, released at 20.

Legacy

Bestselling author with over 320 million copies sold worldwide in 170+ countries.

In Popular Culture

  • Biographical film 'The Pilgrim – Story of Paulo Coelho'

Trivia

  • Committed to a mental institution by parents at age 17.
  • Had a spiritual awakening on the Road to Santiago.
  • Started writing The Alchemist after seeing a white feather as a sign.