Ribeiro Real (Conde do)

João Bettencourt Araújo Carvalhal Esmeraldo, 1st Viscount and 1st Count of Ribeiro Real, was born in Funchal on December 21, 1841, and was the son of the landowners Francisco Antonio de Bettencourt Araújo de Carvalhal Esmeraldo and D. Julia Henriqueta de Freitas Esmeraldo. He held various public service commissions, including the position of president of the Municipal Council of this city and the Civil Governor in 1879, taking office in this position on March 15 of the same year. He was granted the title of viscount by decree on March 23, 1882.

As president of the Municipal Council, he was responsible for the demolition of the old alleys between Rua dos Aranhas and the old British cemetery, and the construction of the street '5 de Junho'. He died on March 22, 1902.