Paulo Coelho is 79 years old as of October 2026. He was born on 24 August 1947.
Brazilian novelist of The Alchemist, a fable about following your dreams that is one of the best-selling books of all time
Did you know?Before his literary success, he worked as a theatre director and wrote lyrics for several popular Brazilian rock stars.
Quick facts
Date of birth24 August 1947
Age79
NationalityBrazilian
BirthplaceRio de Janeiro, Brazil
Occupationwriter, novelist, composer
Editor's Take:
Paulo Coelho wrote one of the best-selling books of all time. As a young man in Rio he rebelled, and his parents had him committed to a psychiatric hospital. He became a songwriter for rock star Raul Seixas. A pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago in 1986 changed his life. Two years later he published The Alchemist, about a shepherd boy following his dream. It has been translated into more than 80 languages. His books explore faith, fate and finding one's path.
Key Milestones
1987: The Pilgrimage – first book
1988: The Alchemist – novel
1998: Veronika Decides to Die – novel
2002: Brazilian Academy – elected
Paulo Coelho de Souza ( KWEL-yoo, koo-EL-yoo, -yoh, Portuguese:; born 24 August 1947) is a Brazilian lyricist and novelist. He has been a member of the Brazilian Academy of Letters since 2002.
