Mário Soares

Born Dec. 7, 1924, in Lisbon. Portuguese political and state figure.

Soares graduated from the University of Lisbon with degrees in philology and law. In 1964 he helped found the Portuguese Socialist Action, which was reorganized as the Portuguese Socialist Party in 1973. Soares became secretary-general of the party in 1973. He was nominated as a candidate for the National Assembly by the legal opposition in 1965 and 1969. Soares was arrested and exiled for his political activities numerous times. He lived as an emigré in France between 1970 and the victory of the revolution on Apr. 25, 1974. From May 1974 to July 1975 he served as minister of foreign affairs and minister without portfolio in the provisional government of Portugal. Soares headed the first constitutional government in Portugal from July 1976 to July 1978. In October 1980 he resigned as secretary-general of the Portuguese Socialist Party.