Portugal is mourning the loss of Olga Cardoso, a celebrated radio and television personality who delighted audiences for over seven decades.Cardoso,known affectionately as “Amiga Olga” for her warm and approachable style,passed away on Wednesday at the age of 91 following a recent stroke.Her extensive career included iconic roles on programs like Despertar and A Amiga Olga,making her a familiar voice and face in Portuguese households for generations. News of her death was announced by longtime collaborator antónio Sala, prompting an outpouring of grief and remembrance across the country.
Olga Cardoso, a beloved voice of Portuguese radio known affectionately as “Amiga Olga,” has died at the age of 91. The news was shared on Wednesday, December 3rd, by António Sala via social media. Cardoso had been hospitalized at São João Hospital in Porto following a stroke.
“Olga is no longer with us physically. She passed away during the early hours of this morning,” Sala wrote in a moving post. He fondly remembered their 17-year partnership on the Despertar program, adding, “Dear Olga, thank you for everything. For the friendship, the companionship, the tenderness, the unforgettable moments, your unique laughter, which will never disappear from our ears and the hearts of those who woke up to your cheerful voice over thousands of mornings.” He concluded with a heartfelt farewell: “Rest in peace, Amiga Olga.”
Cardoso began her career in media in 1949, lending her voice to radio dramas at ORSEC (Workshops of Radio, Sound, Electricity and Cinema). She went on to work at Rádio Porto and Rádio Clube do Norte before joining Rádio Renascença in 1964, where she spent the majority of her career. She became a household name as part of the morning show Despertar, initially alongside Fernando Almeida and later with António Sala. In 1999, she left Renascença, but briefly returned to the airwaves at Sala’s request to host Clássicos da Renascença for a few months.
Born in Miragaia, Porto, Cardoso also made a mark on television, notably hosting the game show A Amiga Olga on TVI between 1993 and 1994. In recent years, she had been living with Parkinson’s disease, which she was diagnosed with at age 80, and publicly discussed in a 2022 interview. Her warm and engaging personality made her a beloved figure in Portuguese media for generations.
Cardoso suffered the stroke on Monday, December 1st. The news of her condition was initially shared by Daniel Martins, a former commentator for CMTV, on social media. “Talking about Olga Cardoso is like talking about family. She was close, always present. We spoke often—I believe practically every day for the last 15 years,” Martins wrote, as cited by SIC. “May all good energies be directed towards her at this delicate moment, after the severe stroke she suffered last night.” He also extended his thoughts to her family: “To her three wonderful children and her four charming granddaughters, I also send my wishes for strength and hope, that everything can still turn out for the best.”
