About
Biography
Early Life and Rise to Fame
Sofia Vitória Inácio was born on April 28, 1979, in Setúbal, Portugal. From a young age she showed talent in music. She studied piano at the Conservatory in Setúbal and later training in jazz voice at the Lisbon College of Music. Sofia also earned a degree in Communication Sciences from the New University of Lisbon. Her big break came in late 2003 when she entered Operação Triunfo, a national TV talent show. Sofia won the Portuguese version of this “Idol”-style competition, which that year doubled as the selection for the country’s Eurovision entry.
Eurovision 2004 in Istanbul
Sofia Vitória represented Portugal at the Eurovision Song Contest 2004 with the song “Foi magia” (“It Was Magic”). The song finished 15th in the semi-final (out of 22 entries) and did not advance to the grand final. After Eurovision, Sofia remained determined to grow as an artist rather than chasing instant pop fame. Her focus then shifted toward developing her craft in jazz and world music projects.
Post-Eurovision Career and Musical Development
Following Eurovision, Sofia Vitória maintained a relatively low profile in mainstream media. However, she actively pursued music on her own terms. In 2007, she collaborated with acclaimed traditional musician Júlio Pereira on his album Geografias. Sofia continued to perform at intimate venues and cultural events, both in Portugal and abroad, showcasing her jazz-influenced style. She appeared on stage in countries ranging from Brazil and Spain to the Netherlands and Macao. During these years she also shared the stage with notable artists like Brazilian legend Ivan Lins and many prominent Portuguese jazz and world musicians.
Debut Album “Palavra de Mulher”
In 2012, Sofia Vitória released her long-awaited debut album Palavra de Mulher (“Woman’s Word”), in partnership with jazz pianist Luís Figueiredo. All the songs on this album are interpretations of female characters from the musical world of Brazilian writer-composer Chico Buarque. Sofia had performed some of these songs live for years, and then officially recorded them with fresh jazz and acoustic arrangements. Palavra de Mulher is essentially a concept album highlighting women’s voices and stories in Buarque’s lyrics. The record offers a modern, sophisticated take on Chico Buarque’s music, blending jazz and classical elements in an all-acoustic productio. The album was first released digitally in late 2012 and presented live in March 2013 at a concert in Sintra, Portugal. Around the same time, Sofia also explored writing, publishing a short story book titled Dos dias – Um breve conto in 2013, showing her creative talents beyond music.
Concept Albums and Collaborations (2014–2017)
Sofia Vitória continued to innovate with ambitious musical projects. Strongly influenced by literature and Portuguese culture, she next turned to the works of poet Fernando Pessoa. In 2016 she released Echoes – Fernando Pessoa, English Poetry & Prose, an album entirely devoted to setting Pessoa’s English-language writings to music. This project was a co-production with the Casa Fernando Pessoa museum and featured original compositions by a who’s-who of Portuguese musicians. Sofia invited composers like Mário Laginha (jazz pianist), José Mário Branco (legendary singer-songwriter), Amélia Muge, António Zambujo, and others to create music for Pessoa’s words. She herself also contributed as a composer on the album.
The following year, in 2017, Sofia collaborated with guitarist José Peixoto to record Belo Manto: Música para Poesia Luso-Árabe e Poesia Medieval Portuguesa. Belo Manto (“Beautiful Cloak”) is a collection of songs inspired by ancient Luso-Arabic and medieval Portuguese poetry, reflecting the Iberian Peninsula’s multicultural heritage. Sofia’s clear vocals and Peixoto’s Mediterranean guitar melodies combined with traditional instruments (like lute and percussion) to bring centuries-old verses to life. The project premiered at the Marvão International Music Festival in mid-2017 and the album was released in November that year.
Recent Projects and Ongoing Career (2018–2025)
In the late 2010s and early 2020s, Sofia Vitória remained active in Portugal’s jazz and world music circuits. She often performed live with small ensembles and participated in various collaborations. Notably, she joined forces with the Lisboa String Trio – a chamber-jazz group led by José Peixoto – as a guest vocalist. This collaboration resulted in the 2023 album Canções Concretas e Outras Histórias (“Concrete Songs and Other Stories”), which introduced Sofia’s voice into the trio’s mix of jazz, folk, and classical influences. As of 2025, Sofia Vitória continues to create and release new music. She has put out independent singles, such as the English-language song “Something’s Missing” in early 2025, which she wrote and produced herself.
Personal Life and Legacy
Despite her public career, Sofia Vitória is known to be private about her personal life. She has occasionally used the surname “Pimentel” in credits, suggesting a married name, but she primarily goes by Sofia Vitória professionally. What is well known is her passion for culture and education. By merging her academic background in communications with her musical pursuits, Sofia has carved out a niche as an “artista multidisciplinar”. She has even been involved in workshops and theater/performance projects.
