André Ventura Biography: André Claro Amaral Ventura born January 15, 1983 is a Portuguese politician, academic, former sports commentator, and the founder of the right-wing populist party Chega. Ventura was a member of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) until 2018 and ran as the PSD candidate for Mayor of Loures in 2017. In April 2019, he established Chega, and just six months later, he was elected to Portugal’s Assembly of the Republic in the October 2019 legislative elections. He later ran in the 2021 presidential election, where he placed third with 11.9% of the vote. Under his leadership, Chega experienced significant growth, securing 18.1% of the vote and 50 seats in the 2024 legislative election—more than quadrupling its previous representation.
André Ventura Biography
André Ventura, leader of Portugal’s far-right party Chega, which saw a significant surge in Sunday’s general election, is a former seminary student who went on to become a blunt-speaking television football commentator. The 42-year-old, who trained as a lawyer, first gained national attention in 2017 while running for mayor of a municipality near Lisbon as a candidate for the centre-right Social Democratic Party (PSD). During the campaign, he stirred controversy by accusing Portugal’s small Roma community of being responsible for crime and abusing the welfare system. Ventura left the PSD in 2018 and went on to found Chega—meaning “Enough”—in 2019. The party was launched on a platform centered around combating corruption and illegal immigration. Chega’s policy agenda includes a range of controversial proposals such as chemical castration.
André Ventura Biography 2025 Details
| Born |
15 January 1983 (age 42)
Algueirão, Sintra, Portugal |
| Political party |
Chega (since 2019) |
Other political
affiliations |
Social Democratic Party (2001–2018) |
| Spouse |
Dina Marques Nunes
(m. 2016) |
| Alma mater |
NOVA University Lisbon
University College Cork |
| Category |
Politician Biography |
See More:
Zohran Mamdani Biography
Katie Britt Biography
Monica Crowley Biography
Emmanuel Macron Biography
Jeremy Corbyn Biography
About André Ventura
André Claro Amaral Ventura is a Portuguese politician, university teacher, former sports pundit, and founder of the right-wing populist political party Chega. Ventura was affiliated with the Social Democratic Party until 2018, having run for Mayor of Loures in 2017 as the PSD candidate.
André Ventura Wiki
- Born: 15 January 1983 (age 42 years), Algueirão–Mem Martins, Portugal
- Party: Chega
- Previous office: Member of the Loures City Council (2017–2018)
- Office: Deputy of the Portuguese Assembly of the Republic
- Education: University College Cork, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Externato de Penafirme
- Nationality: Portuguese
- Organization founded: Chega
Early Life and Education
Ventura was born in Algueirão–Mem Martins, a suburb of Sintra in the Lisbon metropolitan area. His father owned a small bicycle shop, and his mother worked in an office. Although not raised in a religious household, Ventura developed a strong interest in Catholicism at the age of 14. He chose to be baptised and later completed his first communion and confirmation. Inspired to become a priest, he enrolled in the Penafirme Seminary, part of the Patriarchate of Lisbon. However, he left seminary life after falling in love.
He went on to earn a law degree from NOVA University Lisbon’s Faculty of Law, graduating with an impressive grade of 19 out of 20. During his studies, he participated in the ERASMUS programme in Salamanca, Spain. Ventura completed a PhD in public law at the Faculty of Law, University College Cork in Ireland, supported by a scholarship from Portugal’s Foundation for Science and Technology.
Before Fame
As a teenager, Ventura became deeply involved in Catholicism and spent a year studying to become a priest before leaving the seminary after falling in love. He later pursued a law degree and worked professionally as a lawyer and football commentator before dedicating himself fully to a political career.
Trivia
Ventura is a longtime supporter of Portuguese football club S.L. Benfica. He has also authored two novels: Montenegro (2008) and The Last Dawn of Islam (2009). André Ventura is a Portuguese politician, lawyer, and legal scholar best known as the founder and leader of Chega (“Enough”), a right-wing political party in Portugal. He gained national attention through his presidential campaign and his outspoken political advocacy.
Personal Life
André Ventura is married to Dina Sofia Marques Nunes Ventura, a pediatric physiotherapist working at a hospital in Lisbon. The couple met after Ventura completed his law degree at NOVA University Lisbon. While they do not have children, Ventura has expressed a desire to become a father in the future.
His spiritual life has remained significant; Mário Rui Leal Pedras—a priest of the Lisbon Patriarchate who officiated their Catholic wedding at the churches of São Nicolau and Santa Maria Madalena in Lisbon’s historic Baixa Pombalina district—has served as Ventura’s confessor and spiritual advisor since his university years. Ventura is also a devoted supporter of the Portuguese football club S.L. Benfica.
Political Views
André Ventura has become a polarizing figure in Portuguese politics, with the international media frequently labeling his ideology as far-right. Ventura, however, describes himself as an “economic liberal, nationalist, and conservative.” His rhetoric on social issues has drawn widespread criticism, with many of his statements being characterized by the media as anti-Romani, Islamophobic, xenophobic, and sexist.
In reference to António de Oliveira Salazar, the authoritarian leader of Portugal’s Estado Novo regime, Ventura acknowledged the regime’s failures, stating: “The Republic led by Dr. António de Oliveira Salazar, for most of the time, also didn’t solve [the country’s problems] and set us back a long way in various aspects. It didn’t allow us to have the development that we could have had, especially in the post-World War II framework. Portugal could have developed extraordinarily well and we fell behind, just like the Spaniards.
FAQs
How does André Ventura describe his political ideology?
André Ventura describes himself as an “economic liberal, nationalist, and conservative,” though his political views are widely labeled by international media as far-right due to his controversial stances on social issues.
What has André Ventura said about Portugal’s former dictator Salazar?
Ventura has criticized António de Oliveira Salazar’s leadership, stating that while the regime addressed some issues, it ultimately hindered Portugal’s post-World War II development and caused the country to fall behind, especially compared to Spain.
Why has André Ventura faced legal consequences?
Ventura was convicted in court for comments he made about minority communities, specifically describing some individuals from marginalized neighborhoods as “bandits,” a statement widely condemned as discriminatory.
What are some of André Ventura’s proposed policies?
Ventura has advocated for life imprisonment, chemical castration for certain offenders, and a reduction in Islamic immigration—particularly from countries he associates with terrorism.
How has André Ventura responded to comparisons with Trump and Bolsonaro?
Ventura has dismissed comparisons to Donald Trump and Jair Bolsonaro, stating that such criticism doesn’t concern him and affirming that he stands by the ideas and policies he promotes.
Why is André Ventura considered a controversial figure?
Ventura is considered controversial due to his remarks about immigrants, the Romani community, and Muslims, which many describe as racist, xenophobic, and Islamophobic. His rhetoric has sparked national and international criticism.
