Paulo Coelho, born on August 24, 1947, is a celebrated Brazilian author renowned for his novel “The Alchemist.” His works, rich in spiritual and philosophical themes, have captivated millions globally.

Biography

Attribute	Details
Full Name	Paulo Coelho de Souza
Pronunciation	KWEL-yoo, koo-EL-yoo, -⁠yoh, Portuguese: [ˈpawlu koˈeʎu]
Date of Birth	24 August 1947
Nationality	Brazilian
Profession	Lyricist, Novelist
Membership	Member of the Brazilian Academy of Letters since 2002
Notable Work	The Alchemist (1988)
Notability	His novel “The Alchemist” was an international best-seller.

Early Life

Paulo Coelho was born on August 24, 1947, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, into a family of devout Catholics. Raised in the vibrant city, Coelho's early life was marked by his rebellious spirit and an intense desire to become a writer. As a teenager, his unconventional career aspirations and challenging behavior led his concerned parents to commit him to a mental hospital on three separate occasions. Despite these turbulent experiences, Coelho's early years laid the foundation for his future success as an author. Before fully committing to his writing career, he explored various fields, working as an actor, journalist, and theatre director. His eventual travels as a hippie through South America, North Africa, Mexico, and Europe broadened his horizons and profoundly influenced his literary work.

Family

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Relation	Name	Information
Father	Pedro Queima de Coelho de Souza	Pedro was an engineer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He had a significant influence on Paulo's early life, raising him in a strict Catholic environment.
Mother	Lygia Coelho	Lygia Araripe Coelho was Paulo's mother. She was part of his strict Catholic upbringing and was involved in the decisions regarding his education and career path.
Sister	Sonia Coelho	Sonia is Paulo Coelho's sister. There is limited public information about her, but she is known to be part of his immediate family.

Height, Weight, And Other Body Measurements

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Attribute	Measurement
Height	Not Available
Weight	Not Available
Other Body Measurements	Not Available

Note: Detailed body measurements for Paulo Coelho are not readily available from the provided sources.

Wife/husband / Girlfriend/boyfriend

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Paulo Coelho is currently married to the Brazilian artist, Christina Oiticica. They got married on 1980. Christina Oiticica is best known for her exotic neoconcretist technique. The couple has been together for several decades, supporting each other in their respective artistic endeavors.

There are no widely documented previous relationships or marriages of Paulo Coelho before Christina Oiticica. Below is a summary of his known relationship:

Name	Type	Details
Christina Oiticica	Wife	Married since 1980

Career, Achievements And Controversies

Paulo Coelho became internationally famous with the publication of his second novel, The Alchemist. This book has been translated into multiple languages and has sold millions of copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling books in history. Coelho's ability to weave rich symbolism and spiritually motivated journeys into his narratives captivated readers globally.

Before dedicating his life to literature, Paulo Coelho worked in various fields including acting, journalism, and theatre direction. Despite his parents' lack of encouragement, Coelho pursued his passion for writing. His first book was Hell Archives, but it was The Alchemist that skyrocketed him to fame. Other popular works by Coelho include Brida, Eleven Minutes, The Devil and Miss Prym, and The Pilgrimage.

• Crystal Award – World Economic Forum
• Golden Book Award – Yugoslavia
• Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres – France
• Grinzane Cavour Book Award – Italy
• Golden Book Award – Yugoslavia
• Cross of Honour for Science and Art – Austria

Paulo Coelho's career has not been without controversy. Some of the notable controversies include:

• Political Activism: Coelho has been a political activist since his youth, which has sometimes put him in contentious positions.
• Accusations of Plagiarism: Over the years, Coelho has faced accusations of plagiarism, although none have been conclusively proven.
• Censorship: His works have been banned in some countries, primarily for their spiritual and philosophical content, which some authorities found controversial.

Faq

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