Celina Amélia de Resende Viegas was born in São João del-Rei, Minas Gerais, Brazil, on 21 October 1890. Her father, Severiano Nunes Cardoso de Resende (1847–1920), was a politician, writer, teacher and lawyer who held several public positions in São João del-Rei, being councilor and president of the City Council, provincial deputy, as well as a state deputy. Her mother was Amélia Rita da Silva.
At some point, she married José das Chagas Viegas (1887–1979), a dentist. In 1911, her husband established a practice to offer dental care to the residents of the city, as well as to nearby farmers and their families. He would often depart from their home, typically riding on the back of a horse or a mule, carrying his portable office on the animal’s back to serve in rural areas. Additionally, he worked at the Santa Casa de Misericórdia hospital and the former Estrada de Ferro Oeste de Minas railway. In 1929, he was appointed as the official dentist for the State of Minas Gerais. Their son, Dr. Milton de Resende Viegas (1918–2009), later became the Mayor of São João del-Rei. Their daughter, Celina “Cecy” Viegas, worked as a nurse, lawyer and professor at the Juiz de Fora Federal University.
She worked as a teacher at the João dos Santos State School for 28 years, and for 33 years, she owned and directed a boarding school for girls.
After retiring, she devoted herself wholeheartedly to social work aimed at benefiting the poor. The property where she resided in São João del-Rei was and still is popularly known as the “Casa de D. Celina Viegas” or “Solar dos Viegas”. A nursery in the city was later named after her. Abgar Campos Tirado, a professor and musician from the city, described her as “one of the most renowned educators who has ever passed through our city.”
Her age was verified by Stefan Maglov and James Roberts, and listed as pending validation by the LAS as of 10 February 2022.
* “Solar Dos Viegas – São João Del-Rei – MG”
* “Festa de Passos . Francisco José dos Santos Braga” – São João del Rei Transparente
* “Dr. Milton de Resende Viegas (1918-2009)” – Academia de Letras de São João del-Rei