[1][2][4] Despite already being a published poet by the time he started writing lyrics, it is through his poetic contribution to popular music that he became well known to the Portuguese public.
[3] Ary dos Santos was born on 7 December 1937a to a family belonging to the Lisbon upper middle class.
To make ends meet he worked odd jobs, including salesman, errand boy at the Sociedade Nacional de Fósforos, and clerk at the Casino Estoril, until he started his career in advertising.
[5][1][6] While Ary dos Santos continued writing and publishing poetry his whole life, it was through his work as a lyricist, especially for satirical songs and for fado, he became well known to the Portuguese public.
[7][2] Ary dos Santos' public image is also connected to his participation as a lyricist in the RTP Song Festival.