Amália Rodrigues had humble beginnings. Although she was born in Lisbon by chance on July 23, 1920 while her parents were visiting, they soon returned to Fundão, leaving Amália with her grandparents. She moved back to Lisbon at six and grew up in the district of Alcântara. Her education stopped after primary school as she needed to work to support her family, taking jobs as an apprentice seamstress and later selling fruit.

Amália’s passion for singing was evident early on. At 15, she was selected as a soloist for a local festival in Lisbon, and this became her first public performance. Her music career began in earnest when she was encouraged to audition at Retiro da Severa, leading to her professional debut in 1939. Despite her humble beginnings, her talent shone through, earning her significant roles at Lisbon’s top fado houses and establishing her as a leading figure in Portuguese music.

Throughout her career, Amália Rodrigues became a global ambassador for fado. She first traveled abroad in 1943, performing in Spain and then Brazil, where she also made her first recordings. Her international tours included performances in prestigious venues such as Paris’s Olympia and New York’s La Vie en Rose. Rodrigues’s impact was profound, influencing not only fado music but also integrating poetry into her performances, collaborating with renowned poets and musicians to enrich the fado genre. To this day, she continues to be the best-selling Portuguese artist in history.

What can you see at Ah Amália?

Ah Amália is the first immersive museum in the world dedicated to a Portuguese personality. It offers a unique and engaging way to connect with Amália Rodrigues, the renowned fado singer and biggest Portuguese icon of the 20th century.

Aimed at both local and international visitors, Ah Amália’s interactive displays are designed to draw everyone in, from die-hard Amália fans to those learning about Portugal’s legendary musician for the very first time. Visitors to the exhibition will find themselves immersed in an environment that stimulates all of the senses, an innovative and dynamic tribute to one of Portugal’s most inspiring cultural figures. By engaging with various installations that incorporate cutting-edge technology and interactive content, visitors can experience the essence of Amália through eight different rooms including the opportunity to watch Amália perform as a hologram! Through dynamic and interactive content, including cutting-edge technology and virtual reality, guests can truly step into Amália’s world and get to know her in an unforgettable way. Each visitor contributes to the collective memory of Amália Rodrigues’s enduring impact on music and culture.

Ah Amália is thoughtfully designed in a way that is accessible to everyone including those with reduced mobility. However, please note that the intense sensory experiences, including the detailed imagery and dynamic lighting, might be challenging for visitors with specific health conditions such as vertigo.