Virgínia Vitorino (1895–1967) was a Portuguese poet, playwright, teacher, and radio pioneer from Alcobaça. She studied Romance languages at the University of Lisbon and music and singing at the Conservatório Nacional, where she later taught Portuguese, French, and Italian for about forty years.
An early collaborator with Portugal’s public broadcaster Emissora Nacional, she directed radio plays under the pseudonym Maria João do Vale. Over her career, she published three poetry collections and six plays, many staged by Amélia Rey Colaço and Robles Monteiro at Lisbon’s D. Maria II National Theatre. Her works combined social critique with nationalist themes. Her debut poetry book Namorados (1918) became a bestseller, with 14 editions in Portugal and Brazil.
Vitorino collaborated with artist Almada Negreiros and received numerous honors, including the Ordem Militar de Cristo (1929), the Military Order of Saint James of the Sword (1930), and Spain’s Cross of Alfonso XII. She was also awarded the Prémio Gil Vicente for her play Camaradas (1938).
Unmarried throughout her life, she maintained close relationships with Virgínia Ferreira and Olga Sarmento, interpreted by some scholars life partners. She died in Lisbon in 1967 and was buried at Alto de São João Cemetery.
Remembered as one of the most influential Portuguese women writers of the early 20th century, she is honored in Lisbon and Alcobaça, and her poetry—especially her love sonnets—remains a significant part of Portugal’s literary heritage.