José Henrique de Azeredo Perdigão (1896-1993) was born in Viseu and died in Lisbon.

Along with Kevork Essayan, Gulbenkian´s son-in-law, he was elected co-executor of the will for setting up the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.  He was the first employee of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and life-time Chairman between 1955-1993.

He has a degree in Law from the University of Lisbon and a post-graduate degree in Legal Sciences from Coimbra University. As a laywer he has published many academic works and served as a board member for various public and private organisations. He was awarded the medal of the First Honorary Lawyer of the Portuguese Lawyers’ Order.

Many commendations both national and foreign were awarded to José Henrique de Azeredo Perdigão, most notably the Grand Cross of the Order of the Tower and Sword, the Order of Christ, Order of Infante D. Henrique and Order of Merit.  Was member of the State Council.