Portuguese painter Paula Rego, one of the most recognizable figures in international art, passed away at dawn in London at the age of 87, according to the Luis I Foundation associated with her legacy.
Officials from the foundation said they do not have a clear reason for the death yet, only that it came after a brief illness that began four days earlier. The statement, given to Efe after discussions with Rego’s family, noted health problems that included a recent bout of illness, possibly COVID-19 contact, but did not specify a definitive cause.
The loss is felt deeply across Portuguese culture, where Rego is remembered as a fiercely original voice whose work challenged conventions and inspired generations of artists. The Portuguese president, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, underscored her importance as a pioneering figure with significant international reach.
Born in Lisbon in 1935, Rego studied and lived extensively in London, eventually settling there after marrying the British painter Victor Willing in the 1970s. The couple raised three children while building a life that linked Portuguese roots with a transatlantic artistic career. In 2009, the Story House, a museum connected to the Louis I Foundation, opened in Cascais near Lisbon to showcase her body of work and related material. Rego received numerous honors recognizing her contribution to art, including major national and international awards and recognitions from the United Kingdom and Portugal.