Mário Zambujal: Remembering the Portuguese Writer and Journalist

Mário Zambujal, the celebrated Portuguese journalist and author best known for his picaresque novel Crónica dos Bons Malandros, has died at the age of 90. The news, reported on March 12, 2026, marks the end of a prolific career spanning 45 years, one that blended sharp narrative skill with a rare sense of humor in Portuguese literature.

Zambujal’s debut, Crónica dos Bons Malandros (Chronicle of Good Rogues), published in 1980, quickly captured the public imagination. The book follows a gang of less-than-competent thieves and their audacious plan to rob the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum in Lisbon. It proved so popular that by 2008, it had reached its 32nd edition with Bertrand Editores, before Zambujal transitioned to Clube do Autor, where it has since seen another nine editions, demonstrating its enduring appeal. The story centers on Renato and his crew – Marlene, Flávio, Arnaldo, Pedro, Adelaide, and Silvino – all individuals marginalized by society who find themselves drawn into a life of crime, hoping for one last score that will allow them to depart it behind.

From Page to Screen: The Enduring Legacy of Crónica dos Bons Malandros

The success of Crónica dos Bons Malandros extended beyond the printed page. In 1984, it was adapted into a film directed by Fernando Lopes, featuring a cast including João Perry, Maria do Céu Guerra, and Nicolau Breyner. Further adaptations followed: a musical theater production staged at the Rivoli Theater in Porto in 2011, directed by Francisco Santos, and a television series produced by RTP and helmed by Jorge Paixão da Costa, which premiered in December 2020. This multi-platform adaptation speaks to the story’s broad appeal and its ability to resonate with audiences across different mediums.

While Crónica dos Bons Malandros remains his most recognizable work, Zambujal continued to publish throughout his career. His 1983 novel, Histórias do Fim da Rua, didn’t achieve the same level of success, but 1986’s À Noite Logo se Vê (At Night It Will Be Seen) once again resonated with readers, introducing the eccentric investigator of the supernatural, Mino Miralva. Over the course of his career, Zambujal authored 20 books, with his most recent, O Último a Sair (The Last to Leave), a return to the crime genre, released in 2025.

A Journalist’s Heart

Zambujal’s path to literary success was preceded by a distinguished career in journalism. He began his career at A Bola in 1961, and went on to hold positions at several prominent Portuguese publications, including O Jornal, Diário de Lisboa, Record, and O Século, where he served as editor-in-chief around the time of the 1974 Carnation Revolution. He later directed Mundo Desportivo and served as editor-in-chief of Diário de Notícias. He was also a founding member and first director of the cultural weekly Se7e. As CoffeePaste notes, Zambujal began writing stories long before his journalism career took off, crafting tales even before he knew how to write a news report.

His presence extended to television, where he became a familiar face as the host of programs like “Grande Encontro” and “Domingo Desportivo” on RTP. He described his approach to communication as aiming to “count a story is to speak in writing, is to converse in writing,” emphasizing clarity and accessibility. He believed that effective communication happens when the content is “received and understood by the recipient.”

A Lisbon Native, Honored and Remembered

Born in Moura in 1936, Zambujal spent his early childhood in Amareleja before moving to the Algarve with his family at age five. He eventually settled in Lisbon as an adult, a city he came to embrace. In 2016, he received the Medal of Cultural Merit from the Lisbon City Council, and in 2022, a mural honoring his work was unveiled on Estrada de Benfica, created by artist Mariana Duarte Santos. According to Sábado, Zambujal was described as “a bit of an outsider” with a “remarkable sense of humor.”

Zambujal’s contributions were also recognized with the Gazeta de Mérito award from the Club of Journalists in 2025, and he was made an Officer of the Order of Prince Henry the Navigator by President Ramalho Eanes in 1984. He was a member of Benfica since 1959, and the club issued a statement of condolence upon his passing.

Final Reflections and Legacy

In a 2023 interview with the Club of Journalists, Zambujal reflected on life with characteristic pragmatism, stating that “life is a fixed-term contract with receipts.” He approached his own mortality with equanimity, expressing tranquility in the final stages of his life. His work, however, will continue to resonate with readers for generations to approach.

Following his death, tributes have poured in from across the Portuguese political and cultural landscape. President Luís Montenegro described him as a “journalist, writer and storyteller who marked generations with his talent,” while Minister of Culture Margarida Balseiro Lopes hailed him as an “exceptional and talented writer, an inspiration to several generations.”

Clube do Autor marked Zambujal’s 90th birthday with commemorative editions of three of his works: Crónica dos Bons Malandros, Dama de Espadas, and Cafuné. He considered Cafuné, a historical novel set in early 19th-century Lisbon, to be his best work, praising its blend of historical accuracy and fictional characters.

Mário Zambujal is survived by his daughter, Isabel Zambujal, a children’s and young adult author, and his brother, Francisco Zambujal, a caricaturist. His passing represents a significant loss for Portuguese literature and journalism, but his stories, wit, and insightful observations will undoubtedly endure.