Américo Tomás

Américo de Deus Rodrigues Tomás, also spelled Américo Thomaz (November 19, 1894 - September 18, 1987). Portuguese admiral and politician. Minister of Navy in 1944. Elected president of the Republic in 1958, re-elected in 1965 and 1972. During this time, Portugal was ruled by the authoritarian regime of António de Oliveira Salazar and the president of the republic had only a figurative role. Just once Tomás used his presidential prerrogative: to dismiss Salazar when he became incapacitated by a severe stroke in September, 1968. Tomás appointed Marcello Caetano to replace Salazar as prime-minister. When in April 25, 1974, the "Carnation Revolution" deposed Caetano, Tomás was also overthrowned and send to exile in Brazil until 1980, when he returned to Portugal.