With 81 points, Manuela Medeiros, founder of the Parfois fashion accessories chain, secured 12th place in the 2025 Forbes Portugal ranking of the Most Powerful Portuguese Women in Business. Valued at around €435 million, she remains one of the country’s most successful yet discreet entrepreneurs, known for keeping a low profile in public life.
Medeiros opened the first Parfois store in Porto in 1994, at the age of 42, pioneering a modern and affordable fashion brand for Portuguese women. Today, Parfois has grown into an international network of more than 1,000 stores—mostly franchised—across some 70 countries, establishing the brand as a global player.
This is the third consecutive year Medeiros appears on Forbes’ list, which evaluates 150+ business leaders across five criteria: wealth, decision-making power, influence, business size, and entrepreneurship. Her sustained presence highlights not only her fortune, but also her enduring impact on Portugal’s fashion and retail landscape.
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