Paulo Coelho
Born 1947 · Age 78
Brazilian lyricist and novelist, author of The Alchemist; member of the Brazilian Academy of Letters since 2002; internationally bestselling author whose works focus on spirituality and personal journeys.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Paulo Coelho de Souza born to Lygia Araripe Coelho de Souza and Pedro Queima Coelho de Souza in Rio de Janeiro.
Attended Jesuit school
Coelho began studies at a Jesuit school; religion played an important role in his early life and education.
Committed to psychiatric institution
At age 17 Coelho's parents committed him to a mental institution; he later escaped three times and was released at age 20.
Released from psychiatric institution
Coelho was released from institutional care at about age 20.
Dropped out of law school
On his parents' wishes Coelho had enrolled in law school but he dropped out to pursue travel and a countercultural life.
Traveled as a hippie
Spent time traveling through South America, North Africa, Mexico and Europe; part of 1960s/70s counterculture and drug use.
Began songwriting career
Returned to Brazil and started writing lyrics for popular singers, notably Raul Seixas; collaborated with Elis Regina and Rita Lee.
Joined anti-capitalist 'Alternative Society'
Became involved in countercultural/political groups opposing Brazil's military regime.
Arrested and tortured by military government
Reportedly arrested for alleged 'subversive' activities related to lyrics and political stance; later said he was tortured.
Published 'Theater for Education' (Teatro da Educação)
One of Coelho's early published works listed in his bibliography (Portuguese title, 1974).
Worked for PolyGram and CBS Records until 1980
Served in roles at major record companies (PolyGram, CBS Records) before resuming travels in Europe and Africa.
Married Christina Oiticica
Coelho married artist Christina Oiticica; the couple later divided time between Brazil and France and later moved to Geneva.
Published 'Hell Archives' (Arquivos do Inferno)
Coelho's first book (1982) which had little commercial impact.
Walked the Camino de Santiago (pilgrimage)
Walked the 500+ mile Road to Santiago de Compostela; experienced a spiritual awakening that reshaped his life and writing.
Contributed to 'Practical Manual of Vampirism'
Coelho contributed to this 1986 publication, later expressing regret and attempting to withdraw it.
Published 'The Pilgrimage' (O Diário de um Mago)
Autobiographical account of his Camino pilgrimage; marks his formal start as a prose writer in mainstream publishing.
Wrote and published 'The Alchemist' (initial small run)
Wrote The Alchemist (1988); first published by a small Brazilian house with an initial print run of 900 copies and no reprint.
Published 'Brida'
Follow-up novel that helped increase Coelho's profile in Brazil and abroad.
Published 'The Valkyries' (As Valkírias)
Autobiographical quest story recounting attempts to communicate with angels; continues spiritual themes.
HarperCollins publishes 'The Alchemist' internationally
Major international publisher (HarperCollins) decides to publish The Alchemist (English edition circulation grew worldwide), launching global success.
Published 'Maktub' and 'By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept'
Released two books in 1994, further boosting international readership.
Resided half-year in Rio and half-year in French Pyrenees (later moved to Geneva)
For years the couple split time between Rio de Janeiro and a country house in the Pyrenees; at a later unspecified date they established permanent residence in Geneva, Switzerland.
Founded the Paulo Coelho Institute
Established the Paulo Coelho Institute to provide aid to children and the elderly and to support cultural projects.
Published 'The Fifth Mountain' (O Monte Cinco)
Novel retelling the story of the biblical prophet Elijah.
Published 'Manual of the Warrior of Light' and 'Love Letters from a Prophet'
Released a selection of spiritual teachings and a companion work; continued prolific publishing cadence.
Published 'Veronika Decides to Die' and 'Essential Words'
Released one of his better-known later novels dealing with mental instability and a collection of essential quotations.
Published 'The Devil and Miss Prym'
Novel exploring human nature and moral choices.
Published 'Fathers, Sons and Grandsons'
Publication of essays/stories reflecting on family and generations.
Received Bambi award (Germany) and other international awards (approx.)
Coelho received several international awards across years, including a reported Bambi in 2001, Corine award in 2002, and French honors around 2003–2004.
Elected member of the Brazilian Academy of Letters
Coelho became a member of the prestigious Brazilian Academy of Letters in 2002 (chair list shows him among patrons/members).
Published 'Eleven Minutes'
Novel exploring love and sexuality; notable international success.
Reportedly awarded France's Official Medal for Art and Literature
Multiple sources note Coelho received French cultural honors (often cited 2003); exact decoration and date vary by source.
Published multiple works (The Genie and the Roses, Journeys, Life)
Released several titles including collections and essays, continuing high output.
Reportedly received Medal of Honor of Ukraine and Nielsen Gold (UK)
Aventura do Brasil and ThoughtCo cite several national awards around 2004 (Ukraine medal, UK Nielsen Gold Book Award); sources vary.
Published 'Like the Flowing River' and 'The Witch of Portobello'
Released a collection of reflections and a novel examining a female spiritual leader.
Recognized as one of world's most translated living authors
By 2007–2008 The Alchemist held Guinness/translation-related distinctions; The Alchemist became one of the most translated books by a living author.
Guinness World Record and major publicity event
Presented with a Guinness-related record/recognition for translations (photographed at London Book Fair signing); boosted global profile.
Published 'The Winner Stands Alone' and 'The Wizard' (biography)
Released a Cannes-thriller and a biography; continued prolific publishing.
Published 'Aleph'
Novel inspired by Coelho's Trans-Siberian Railway journey and metaphysical themes.
Increased online presence — blogging and social media
Expanded readership and direct engagement via his blog (paulocoelhoblog.com) and social media; made some books available freely online.
Published 'Manuscript Found in Accra'
Novella set in medieval Jerusalem offering philosophical and spiritual reflections.
Published 'Adultery'
Released the novel 'Adultério' tackling a contemporary story of infidelity.
Biopic 'The Pilgrim – Story of Paulo Coelho' premieres in Brazil
Film (Não Pare na Pista) telling Coelho's life story premiered in Brazilian theatres in 2014; international distribution in 2015.
International distribution of biopic
The biopic 'The Pilgrim – Story of Paulo Coelho' was internationally distributed in 2015 following the 2014 Brazilian premiere.
Listed by Richtopia as #2 most influential contemporary author
On 22 December 2016 Coelho was listed by Richtopia at number 2 in their list of 200 influential contemporary authors.
Contacted by Kobe Bryant about children's book collaboration
Kobe Bryant contacted Coelho in 2016 to work on a children's book; they began collaborating months before Bryant's death.
Books' global reach cited (translations and circulation growth)
Coelho's works continued to expand worldwide readership; sources cite translations into 80+ languages and tens of millions of copies sold by mid-2010s.
Published 'Hippie'
Published 'Hippie', a memoir inspired by his travels and countercultural experiences in the 1970s.
Deleted Kobe Bryant co-authored children's book draft after Bryant's death
Following Bryant's death in January 2020, Coelho deleted the unfinished children's book draft they had been writing together.
Public commentary on torture under dictatorship
Coelho wrote and publicly commented about being tortured by Brazil's 1970s dictatorship, linking past abuses to contemporary political concerns.
Bibliography reach updated (Wikipedia — 320 million copies, 83 languages)
Wikipedia snapshot lists that his books have been published in more than 170 countries, translated into 83 languages and sold 320 million copies (figure updated by the article's editors).
Continues to publish roughly every two years
Coelho maintains a pace of about one novel every two years, with continued international promotion via internet, blogging and social media.
Key Achievement Ages
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