About
Portuguese explorer known for being the first European to reach India by sea.
Before Fame
He was commissioned by the Portuguese king to find a maritime route to India in 1497.
Trivia
His first journey to India covered nearly 24,000 miles in close to two years. Only 54 of his crew's original 170 members survived the journey.
Family Life
He was born and raised in the town of Sines in southwest Portugal. He was the son of a minor nobleman. He was married and had six sons. He died in 1524 in India after contracting an illness. His body was sailed back to Portugal for burial.
Associated With
He set sail after Christopher Columbus and went south while Columbus went west.
