Portuguese Eurovision winner Salvador Sobral undergoes heart transplant

Portuguese Eurovision winner Salvador Sobral has undergone a heart transplant after months waiting for a compatible donor, and being at the top of the country’s heart transplant list since announcing a pause in his career back in September, due to health reasons.

The ‘Amar Pelos Dois’ singer reportedly underwent the life-saving surgery last Friday, 8 December, at the Santa Cruz hospital in Lisbon, and spent the weekend in intensive care.
He was expected to remain in intensive care until the end of this week, followed by another fortnight in hospital, before being allowed to go home to continue his recovery.
The surgery was carried out by leading heart specialist, Miguel Abecassis, who said while the major operation “went well in every aspect” and his recovery has “been progressing well”, it will be a long recovery, but that all being well, afterwards, the artist will be able to lead “a completely normal life”.
The top surgeon also revealed Salvador Sobral was in good spirits when he came round from the surgery, and thanked the team who operated on him.
According to Dr. Abecassis, the first two weeks of recovery are the most critical in the long journey ahead.
Salvador Sobral announced in September that he was going to take a break in his career for health reasons and for an unspecified amount of time.
His announcement came after winning the Eurovision song contest back in May, alongside his songwriter sister, Luísa, with the song ‘Amar Pelos Dois’.
At the time, his participation had been shrouded in rumours of ill heart health, although the singer refused to fuel speculation and declined to comment on the matter.