Francisco Pinto Balsemão, a pivotal figure in Portugal’s political and media landscape, passed away at the age of 88. His death was announced late Tuesday by the Portuguese president’s office and Impresa, the media conglomerate he founded. No cause of death was disclosed. Balsemão, a former prime minister, played a crucial role in shaping Portugal’s transition to democracy following the 1974 Carnation Revolution, which ended decades of dictatorship. Born on September 1, 1937, he graduated in law from Lisbon University and served in the Portuguese Air Force before embarking on a distinguished career in politics and media. Balsemão became prime minister in 1981, succeeding Francisco Sá Carneiro, who died in a plane crash. His tenure, marked by political turbulence and coalition tensions, saw significant constitutional reforms aimed at liberalizing the economy. After resigning in 1983, he focused on building Impresa, which became a cornerstone of Portugal’s media industry. His legacy includes founding Expresso, a respected weekly newspaper, and launching S.I.C., the country’s first private television channel. Balsemão’s commitment to freedom of expression and democratic values left an indelible mark on Portugal’s history.