Paulo Coelho

Paulo Coelho is a Brazilian novelist and lyricist who was born on August 24, 1947, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He is one of the most widely read authors of our time, and he has won numerous international prizes, including the World Economic Forum's Crystal Award. He started writing his first novel, Hell Archives, but it was a flop. That, however, did not deter him. His visit to Santiago in 1986 inspired him to create The Pilgrimage, his second novel.

Later, he wrote The Alchemist, which was originally published by a modest Brazilian publishing business and sold only 900 copies. Paulo Coelho then found a larger publishing house, and with the publication of Brida, The Alchemist became a bestseller in Brazil, selling over 65 million copies and becoming the most popular book in the country's history.

Born: August 24, 1947 (age 74)
Nationality: Brazilian
Best Works: The Alchemist (1988), The Winner Stands Alone (2008), The Devil and Miss Prym (2009), Eleven Minutes (2003), Brida (1990), By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept (1994),...
Website: paulocoelhoblog.com