Actress Glória de Matos died this Thursday, aged 89, from heart failure. Thus disappears one of the most respected figures in the performing arts in Portugal, with a career that spanned more than six decades.
The family told SIC the details of the funeral ceremonies: “The body will be in a burning chamber at the Church of S. João de Deus in Lisbon, Saturday between 6pm and 10pm and Sunday between 12pm and 3:30pm, at which time a funeral mass will take place and the body will go to the Alto de S. João Cemetery.”
Glória de Matos, who was married to the well-known announcer and presenter Henrique Mendes, had a remarkable career that began in the mid-1950s, being a fundamental player in the creation of the Casa da Comédia Theater Group. His last appearance on stage took place in 2017, in the play I hate you, my lovenot the D. Maria II National Theater.
Although he dedicated much of his life to teaching — teaching at the National Conservatory Theater School, the Higher School of Theater and Cinema and the Open University –, it was in cinema that his image became iconic.
His filmography includes memorable performances in fundamental works of Portuguese cinema, such as Benilde or the Virgin Mother, from 1975 Francisca from 1981, The Cannibals (1988) The Fifth Empire – Yesterday as Today (2004), Magic Mirror (2005) or Singularities of a Blonde Girl (2009).
In addition to the artistic and pedagogical aspect, Glória de Matos performed important public functions, having been a member of the High Authority for Social Communication and advisor to both the State Secretariat for Culture and the Institute of Performing Arts.